Signaling of transmit power related information

ABSTRACT

A method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, the example method may include generating a data frame including a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header. The MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame may include transmit power related information. The transmit power related information may include at least one of: a maximum transmit power, power backoff per modulation and coding scheme information, or an actual transmit power. The method may include transmitting the data frame to a second device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/407,049, entitled “SIGNALING OF TRANSMIT POWER RELATEDINFORMATION” and filed on Oct. 12, 2016, which is expressly incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, andmore particularly, to signaling and/or processing of transmit powerrelated information for wireless local area networks.

Background

In many telecommunication systems, communications networks are used toexchange messages among several interacting spatially-separated devices.Networks may be classified according to geographic scope, which may be,for example, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area. Suchnetworks may be designated respectively as a wide area network (WAN),metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN), wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), or personal area network (PAN). Networks mayalso differ according to the switching/routing technique used tointerconnect the various network nodes and devices (e.g., circuitswitching vs. packet switching), the type of physical media employed fortransmission (e.g., wired vs. wireless), and the set of communicationprotocols used (e.g., Internet protocol suite, Synchronous OpticalNetworking (SONET), Ethernet, etc.).

Wireless networks may be preferred when the network elements are mobileand thus have dynamic connectivity needs, or if the network architectureis formed in an ad hoc, rather than fixed, topology. Wireless networksmay employ intangible physical media in an unguided propagation modeusing electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave, infra-red, optical,etc., frequency bands. Wireless networks may advantageously facilitateuser mobility and rapid field deployment when compared to fixed wirednetworks.

An access point (AP) may need a station's (STA) transmit power relatedinformation to predict UL Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR)and modulation and coding scheme (MCS). However, a STA may applydifferent power backoffs for different MCSs to prevent a power amplifierfrom entering a non-linear state which may further vary based on theSTA's vendor, e.g., different vendors may have different backoff valueswhich may not be known by the AP.

Therefore, there is a need for signaling power backoff per MCS so that areceiver may better predict an MCS that could be used at the receiver.

SUMMARY

The systems, apparatuses, computer program products, and methods of thisdisclosure each have several aspects, no single one of which is solelyresponsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

One aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus (e.g., a station oran access point) for wireless communication. The apparatus may beconfigured to receive, at a receiver, transmit power related informationfrom a transmitter, wherein the transmit power related informationincludes at least one of a maximum transmit power, a power backoff perMCS, or an actual transmit power. The receiver may estimate, at thereceiver, an MCS for an uplink transmission from the transmitter basedat least on the received transmit power related information.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus (e.g., a stationor an access point) for wireless communication. The apparatus may beconfigured to receive transmit power related information correspondingto a second apparatus. The transmit power related information mayinclude power backoff per modulation and coding scheme information. Thepower backoff per modulation and coding scheme information may include afirst plurality of power backoffs including a first power backoffcorresponding to a first modulation and coding scheme and a second powerbackoff corresponding to a second modulation and coding scheme. Eachpower backoff of the first plurality of power backoffs may be a functionof at least one of: a respective bandwidth or a respective number ofspatial streams. The apparatus may be configured to determine, based onthe first power backoff corresponding to the first modulation and codingscheme, a first signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for thefirst modulation and coding scheme of a second plurality of powerbackoffs. The second plurality of power backoffs may be a subset of thefirst plurality of power backoffs. Each power backoff of the secondplurality of power backoffs may be a function of at least one of: afirst bandwidth or a first number of spatial streams. The apparatus maybe configured to select, based on the first SINR, the first modulationand coding scheme for scheduling an uplink transmission with the secondapparatus in accordance with the first modulation and coding scheme.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus (e.g., a stationor an access point) for wireless communication. The apparatus may beconfigured to receive a data frame including a Medium Access Control(MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header. The MAC header or the PHYheader of the data frame may include transmit power related informationcorresponding to a second apparatus. The transmit power relatedinformation may include at least one of: a maximum transmit power, powerbackoff per modulation and coding scheme information, or an actualtransmit power. The apparatus may be configured to select, based on thetransmit power related information, a first modulation and coding schemefor scheduling an uplink transmission with the second apparatus inaccordance with the first modulation and coding scheme.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus (e.g., a stationor an access point) for wireless communication. The apparatus may beconfigured to generate a message including transmit power relatedinformation corresponding to the apparatus. The transmit power relatedinformation may include power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation. The power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation may include a plurality of power backoffs including a firstpower backoff corresponding to a first modulation and coding scheme anda second power backoff corresponding to a second modulation and codingscheme. Each power backoff of the plurality of power backoffs may be afunction of at least one of: a respective bandwidth or a respectivenumber of spatial streams. The apparatus may be configured to transmitthe message to a second apparatus.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides an apparatus (e.g., a stationor an access point) for wireless communication. The apparatus may beconfigured to generate a data frame including a Medium Access Control(MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header. The MAC header or the PHYheader of the data frame may include transmit power related informationcorresponding to the apparatus. The transmit power related informationmay include at least one of: a maximum transmit power, power backoff permodulation and coding scheme information, or an actual transmit power.The apparatus may be configured to transmit the data frame to a secondapparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system in whichaspects of the present disclosure may be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example wireless network in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 3B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram between a first device incommunication with a second device in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of systems, apparatuses, computer program products, andmethods are described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to any specificstructure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather,these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in the artshould appreciate that the scope of this disclosure is intended to coverany aspect of the systems, apparatuses, computer program products, andmethods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of, orcombined with, other aspect of the invention. For example, an apparatusmay be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of theaspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the invention isintended to cover such an apparatus or method which is practiced usingother structure, functionality, or structure and functionality inaddition to or other than the various aspects of the invention set forthherein. Any aspect disclosed herein may be embodied by one or moreelements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations andpermutations of these aspects fall within the scope of this disclosure.Although some potential benefits and advantages of aspects of thisdisclosure are mentioned, the scope of this disclosure is not intendedto be limited to particular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather,aspects of this disclosure are intended to be broadly applicable todifferent wireless technologies, system configurations, networks, andtransmission protocols, some of which are illustrated by way of examplein the figures and in the following description. The detaileddescription and drawings are merely illustrative of this disclosurerather than limiting, the scope of this disclosure being defined by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

Wireless network technologies may include various types of WLANs. A WLANmay be used to interconnect nearby devices together, employing widelyused networking protocols. The various aspects described herein mayapply to any communication standard, such as a wireless protocol.

In some aspects, wireless signals may be transmitted according to anIEEE 802.11 protocol using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing(OFDM), direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) communications, acombination of OFDM and DSSS communications, or other schemes.Implementations of the IEEE 802.11 protocol may be used for sensors,metering, and smart grid networks. Aspects of certain devicesimplementing the IEEE 802.11 protocol may consume less power thandevices implementing other wireless protocols, and/or may be used totransmit wireless signals across a relatively long range, for exampleabout one kilometer or longer.

A WLAN may include various devices that access the wireless network. Forexample, there may be two types of devices: access points (APs) andclients (also referred to as stations or “STAs”). In general, an AP mayserve as a hub or base station for the WLAN and a STA serves as a clientof the WLAN. For example, a STA may be a laptop computer, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. In an example, a STAconnects to an AP via a Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocol) compliantwireless link to obtain connectivity to the Internet or to other widearea networks. In some aspects, a STA may also be used as an AP.

An access point may also be referred to as a NodeB, Radio NetworkController (RNC), eNodeB, Base Station Controller (BSC), BaseTransceiver Station (BTS), Base Station (BS), Transceiver Function (TF),Radio Router, Radio Transceiver, connection point, or some otherterminology.

A station may also be referred to as an access terminal (AT), asubscriber station, a subscriber unit, a mobile station, a remotestation, a remote terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a userdevice, a user equipment, or some other terminology. In someimplementations, a station may comprise a cellular telephone, a cordlesstelephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless localloop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handhelddevice having wireless connection capability, or some other suitableprocessing device connected to a wireless modem. Accordingly, one ormore aspects disclosed herein may be incorporated into a phone (e.g., acellular phone or smartphone), a computer (e.g., a laptop), a portablecommunication device, a headset, a portable computing device (e.g., apersonal data assistant), an entertainment device (e.g., a music orvideo device, or a satellite radio), a gaming device or system, a globalpositioning system device, or any other suitable device that isconfigured to communicate via a wireless medium.

In an aspect, MIMO schemes may be used for wide area WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi)connectivity. MIMO may exploit a radio-wave characteristic calledmultipath. In multipath, transmitted data may bounce off objects (e.g.,walls, doors, furniture), reaching the receiving antenna multiple timesthrough different routes and at different times. A WLAN device thatemploys MIMO may split a data stream into multiple parts, called spatialstreams (or multi-streams), and transmit each spatial stream throughseparate antennas to corresponding antennas on a receiving WLAN device.Additionally, the growth in MIMO schemes has led to the emergence ofmulti-user (MU) MIMO schemes which support multiple connections on asingle channel (e.g., a single conventional channel) where differentSTAs are identified by spatial signatures.

The term “associate,” or “association,” or any variant thereof should begiven the broadest meaning possible within the context of the presentdisclosure. By way of example, when a first apparatus associates with asecond apparatus, the two apparatuses may be directly associated orintermediate apparatuses may be present. For purposes of brevity, theprocess for establishing an association between two apparatuses will bedescribed using a handshake protocol that utilizes an “associationrequest” by one of the apparatus followed by an “association response”by the other apparatus. The handshake protocol may utilize othersignaling, such as by way of example, signaling to provideauthentication.

Any reference to an element herein using a designation such as “first,”“second,” and so forth does not generally limit the quantity or order ofthose elements. Rather, these designations are used herein as aconvenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements orinstances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elementsdoes not mean that only two elements can be employed, or that the firstelement must precede the second element. In addition, a phrase referringto “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of thoseitems, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: A, B,or C” is intended to cover: A, or B, or C, any combination thereof(e.g., A-B, A-C, B-C, and A-B-C), or multiple instances of an item(e.g., A-A-B-C).

As discussed above, certain devices described herein may employ acommunication protocol specified by an IEEE 802.11 standard, forexample. Such devices (whether used as a STA, an AP, or other device)may be used for smart metering or used in a smart grid network. Suchdevices may provide sensor applications or may act as sensors as well ormay be used in home automation. The devices may be used in a healthcarecontext, for example for personal healthcare. The devices may also beused for surveillance, be used to enable extended-range Internetconnectivity (e.g. for use with hotspots), or for machine-to-machinecommunications.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system 100 in whichaspects of the present disclosure may be employed. The wirelesscommunication system 100 may operate pursuant to a wireless standard,for example the IEEE 802.11 standard. The wireless communication system100 may include an AP 104, which communicates with STAs (e.g., STAs 112,114, 116, and 118).

A variety of processes and methods may be used for transmissions in thewireless communication system 100 between the AP 104 and the STAs. Forexample, signals may be sent and received between the AP 104 and theSTAs in accordance with OFDMA/MU-MIMO techniques. In such a case, thewireless communication system 100 may be referred to as an OFDMA/MU-MIMOsystem. Alternatively, signals may be sent and received between the AP104 and the STAs in accordance with CDMA techniques. In such a case, thewireless communication system 100 may be referred to as a CDMA system.

A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP 104 toone or more of the STAs may be referred to as a downlink (DL) 108, and acommunication link that facilitates transmission from one or more of theSTAs to the AP 104 may be referred to as an uplink (UL) 110.Alternatively, a downlink 108 may be referred to as a forward link or aforward channel, and an uplink 110 may be referred to as a reverse linkor a reverse channel. In some aspects, DL communications may includeunicast traffic (e.g., communications), multicast traffic, and/orbroadcast traffic.

In some aspects, the AP 104 may suppress adjacent channel interference(ACI) so that the AP 104 may receive UL communications on more than onechannel concurrently while reducing analog-to-digital conversion (ADC)clipping noise. The AP 104 may improve suppression of ACI, for example,by having separate finite impulse response (FIR) filters for eachchannel or having a longer ADC backoff period with increased bit widths.

The AP 104 may act as a base station and provide wireless communicationcoverage in a basic service area (BSA) 102. A BSA (e.g., the BSA 102)may be the coverage area of an AP (e.g., the AP 104). The AP 104 alongwith the STAs associated with the AP 104 and that use the AP 104 forcommunication may be referred to as a basic service set (BSS). Thewireless communication system 100 may not have a central AP (e.g., AP104), but rather may function as a peer-to-peer network between theSTAs. Accordingly, the functions of the AP 104 described herein mayalternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs.

The AP 104 may transmit on one or more channels (e.g., multiplenarrowband channels, each channel including a frequency bandwidth) abeacon signal (or simply a “beacon”), via a communication link such asthe downlink 108, to other nodes (STAs) of the wireless communicationsystem 100. The beacon signal may help the other nodes (STAs)synchronize their timing with the AP 104. Alternatively or additionally,the beacon signal may provide other information or functionality. Suchbeacons may be transmitted periodically. In one aspect, the periodbetween successive transmissions of a beacon may be referred to as asuperframe. Transmission of a beacon may be divided into a number ofgroups or intervals. In one aspect, the beacon may include, but is notlimited to, such information as timestamp information to set a commonclock, a peer-to-peer network identifier, a device identifier,capability information, a superframe duration, transmission directioninformation, reception direction information, a neighbor list, and/or anextended neighbor list, some of which are described in additional detailbelow. Thus, a beacon may include information that is common (e.g.,shared) amongst several devices and information specific to a givendevice.

In some aspects, a STA (e.g., STA 114) may associate with the AP 104 inorder to send communications to and/or to receive communications fromthe AP 104. In one aspect, information for associating may be includedin a beacon broadcast by the AP 104. To receive such a beacon, the STA114 may, for example, perform a broad coverage search over a coverageregion. A search may also be performed by the STA 114 by sweeping acoverage region in a lighthouse fashion, for example. After receivingthe information for associating, the STA 114 may transmit, for example,an association probe or request, to the AP 104. In some aspects, the AP104 may use backhaul services, for example, to communicate with a largernetwork, such as the Internet or a public switched telephone network(PSTN).

In an aspect, the AP 104 may include one or more components forperforming various functions. The AP 104 includes a receiver 127 and atransmitter 129. The receiver 127 may be configured to perform anyreceiving function described herein. In some examples, the receiver 127may be configured to receive transmit power related information asdescribed herein. For example, the receiver 127 may be configured toreceive transmit power related information from a transmitter (e.g., atransmitter of the STA 114). The transmitter 129 may be configured toperform any transmitting function described herein. In some examples,the transmitter 129 may be configured to send transmit power relatedinformation as described herein. The receiver 127 and the transmitter129 may be combined into a transceiver 131.

In some examples, the AP 104 may include an MCS component 124 configuredto perform any processing (e.g., functions, steps, or the like)described herein with respect to transmit power related information. Forexample, the MCS component 124 may be configured to estimate an MCSsupported by the transmitter from which transmit power relatedinformation was received based on the received transmit power relatedinformation. In some examples, estimating an MCS may be described asselecting an MCS. For example, the MCS component 124 may be configuredto select an MCS for scheduling a transmission (e.g., an uplinktransmission) with a device associated with the transmitter (e.g., theSTA 114) in accordance with the selected MCS. In such an example, theselected MCS may constitute an estimated or otherwise calculated MCSbased on transmit power related information. The MCS component 124 maybe configured to select the MCS from a plurality of MCSs based onreceived transmit power related information. For example, the MCScomponent 124 may be configured to process transmit power relatedinformation in accordance with the techniques described herein. Based onthe processing of the transmit power related information, the MCScomponent 124 may be configured to select an MCS for scheduling atransmission as described herein.

In another aspect, the STA 114 may include one or more components forperforming various functions. The STA 114 includes a receiver 133 and atransmitter 135. The receiver 133 may be configured to perform anyreceiving function described herein. In some examples, the receiver 133may be configured to receive transmit power related information asdescribed herein. For example, the receiver 133 may be configured toreceive transmit power related information from a transmitter (e.g., atransmitter of the AP 104). The transmitter 135 may be configured toperform any transmitting function described herein. In some examples,the transmitter 135 may be configured to send transmit power relatedinformation as described herein. The receiver 133 and the transmitter135 may be combined into a transceiver 137.

In some examples, the STA 114 may include an MCS component 125configured to perform any processing (e.g., functions, steps, or thelike) described herein with respect to transmit power relatedinformation. For example, the MCS component 125 may be configured toestimate an MCS supported by the transmitter from which transmit powerrelated information was received based on the received transmit powerrelated information. In some examples, estimating an MCS may bedescribed as selecting an MCS. For example, the MCS component 125 may beconfigured to select an MCS for scheduling a transmission (e.g., anuplink transmission) with a device associated with the transmitter(e.g., the AP 104) in accordance with the selected MCS. In such anexample, the selected MCS may constitute an estimated or otherwisecalculated MCS based on transmit power related information. The MCScomponent 125 may be configured to select the MCS from a plurality ofMCSs based on received transmit power related information. For example,the MCS component 125 may be configured to process transmit powerrelated information in accordance with the techniques described herein.Based on the processing of the transmit power related information, theMCS component 125 may be configured to select an MCS for scheduling atransmission as described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example wireless network 200 (e.g., a Wi-Finetwork employing the IEEE 802.11 standard) in accordance with thetechniques described herein. The diagram 200 illustrates an AP 202broadcasting/transmitting within a service area 214. STAs 206, 208, 210,and 212 are within the service area 214 of the AP 202 (although onlyfour STAs are shown in FIG. 2, more or less STAs may be within theservice area 214). The AP 202 may transmit (e.g., broadcast) a triggerframe 216 to STAs 206, 208, 210, and 212. In an aspect, the triggerframe 216 may include configuration information for each of the STAs206, 208, 210, and 212. The configuration information may, in someexamples, trigger MU-MIMO transmission of STAs 206, 208, 210, and 212.The STAs 206, 208, 210, and 212 may communicate by exchanging frames204, illustrated only for STA 212 for simplicity. In some instances, theSTA 212, for example, may transmit the frames 204 to the AP 202 inresponse to the received trigger frame 216. In other instances, STAs206, 208, 210, and 212 may transmit the frames 204 to the AP 202 via aresource allocated by the AP 202. In some other instances, the frames204 may be exchanged between the AP 202 and the STA 206 without atrigger frame.

As described herein, one or more STAs (e.g., one or more STAs 206, 208,210, and 212) may be configured to send transmit power relatedinformation to an AP (e.g., AP 202). The AP may be configured to processthe transmit power related information as described herein. For example,based on the transmit power related information (e.g., or based theprocessing of the transmit power related information), the AP may beconfigured to select a respective MCS for scheduling an uplinktransmission with one or more respective STAs of the one or more STAsfrom which transmit power related information was received. For example,the AP 202 may be configured to receive transmit power relatedinformation corresponding to STA 212. The AP 202 may be configured toselect an MCS based on the power related information received from theSTA 212. The AP 202 may transmit scheduling information including theselected MCS to the STA 212 to schedule an uplink transmission with theSTA 212 in accordance with the selected MCS. In some examples, thescheduling information may be carried by the trigger frame 216.

The AP 202 and the STAs 206, 208, 210, and 212 may be configured tooperate in the same way or a similar manner as any other AP (e.g., AP104) or STA (e.g., STA 112) described herein.

For example, the AP 202 may include an MCS component configured toperform any processing (e.g., functions, steps, or the like) describedherein with respect to transmit power related information. For example,the MCS component may be configured to estimate an MCS supported by thetransmitter from which transmit power related information was receivedbased on the received transmit power related information. In someexamples, estimating an MCS may be described as selecting an MCS. Forexample, the MCS component may be configured to select an MCS forscheduling a transmission (e.g., an uplink transmission) with a deviceassociated with the transmitter (e.g., one of the STAs 206, 208, 210,and 212) in accordance with the selected MCS. In such an example, theselected MCS may constitute an estimated or otherwise calculated MCSbased on transmit power related information. The MCS component may beconfigured to select the MCS from a plurality of MCSs based on receivedtransmit power related information. For example, the MCS component maybe configured to process transmit power related information inaccordance with the techniques described herein. Based on the processingof the transmit power related information, the MCS component may beconfigured to select an MCS for scheduling a transmission as describedherein.

As another example, each of the STAs 206, 208, 210, and 212 may includean MCS component configured to perform any processing (e.g., functions,steps, or the like) described herein with respect to transmit powerrelated information. For example, the MCS component may be configured toestimate an MCS supported by the transmitter from which transmit powerrelated information was received based on the received transmit powerrelated information. In some examples, estimating an MCS may bedescribed as selecting an MCS. For example, the MCS component may beconfigured to select an MCS for scheduling a transmission (e.g., anuplink transmission) with a device associated with the transmitter(e.g., the AP 202) in accordance with the selected MCS. In such anexample, the selected MCS may constitute an estimated or otherwisecalculated MCS based on transmit power related information. The MCScomponent may be configured to select the MCS from a plurality of MCSsbased on received transmit power related information. For example, theMCS component may be configured to process transmit power relatedinformation in accordance with the techniques described herein. Based onthe processing of the transmit power related information, the MCScomponent may be configured to select an MCS for scheduling atransmission as described herein.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B illustrate various examples ofdifferent frame structures in accordance with the techniques describedherein. For example, the example fields and/or information elementsdepicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B may be configuredto carry transmit power related information as described herein. In someexamples, the example fields and/or information elements depicted inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B may be various examples offields and/or information elements within frames 204 depicted in FIG. 2.In other examples, the example fields and/or information elementsdepicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B may be variousexamples of fields and/or information elements that may be transmittedand/or received by any device (e.g., any AP or STA) described herein. Asused herein, a frame structure may, in some examples, refer to aninformation element, a field, or a sub-field in a frame that may be usedto carry information, such as transmit power related informationdescribed herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 3A illustrates a frame350 that may be used for transmitting information in a wireless network(e.g., wireless communication system 100 or wireless network 200). Insome examples, the frame 350 may be used to transmit data or symbols(e.g., OFDM/OFDMA symbols) such as data symbols or training fieldsymbols, which may include long training field (LTF) symbols and shorttraining field (STF) symbols. The frame 350 may include a preamble anddata. The preamble may be considered a header of the frame 350. Thepreamble may include information identifying a modulation and codingscheme, a transmission rate, and a length of time to transmit the frame350, and other information. For example, the preamble may include alegacy preamble that may contain header information for older Wi-Fistandards to enable products incompatible with newer Wi-Fi standards todecode the frame 350. The legacy preamble may include a legacy shorttraining field (L-STF) 352, a legacy long training field (L-LTF) 354, alegacy signal field (L-SIG) 356, a repetition L-SIG (RL-SIG) 358, and/orother fields. In some examples, the L-STF 352 may have an 8 μs duration,the L-LTF 354 may have an 8 μs duration, and the L-SIG 356 and RL-SIGmay each have an 4 μs duration. In such examples, other durations mayalso be used. Each of the various fields in the legacy preamble mayinclude one or more OFDM symbols. The L-STF 352 may be used for packetdetection, to setup automatic gain control (AGC), to acquire coarsefrequency offset, and for timing synchronization. The L-LTF 274 mayinclude information needed for a receiver (e.g., the STA 206 or the AP202) to perform channel estimation and for fine frequency offsetestimation. The L-SIG 356 and/or the RL-SIG 358 may be used to providetransfer rate and length information.

In addition to the legacy preamble, the preamble may include a highefficiency (HE) preamble. The HE preamble may contain header informationrelated to a future or a new Wi-Fi standard (e.g., the IEEE 802.11axstandard). The HE preamble may include an HE signal A (HE-SIG-A) field360, an HE signal B (HE-SIG-B) field 362, an HE short training field(HE-STF) 364, an HE long training field (HE-LTF) 366 with 1 to N symbolswhere N is an integer greater than 0, and/or other fields. The HE-STF364 may be used to improve AGC. The HE-SIG-A 360 and the HE-SIG-B 362may be used to provide transfer rate and length information.

The HE-LTF 366 of frame 350 may be used for channel estimation. Thenumber of symbols in the HE-LTF 366 may be equal to or greater than thenumber of space-time streams from different STAs. For example, if thereare 4 STAs, there may be 4 LTF symbols (i.e., HE-LTF1, HE-LTF2, HE-LTF3,and HE-LTF4). The frame 350 may include a service field 367 that carriesa scrambler seed and a number of reserved bits which may be used, forexample, for reporting power headroom. As used herein, the term“reporting” and the like (e.g., “report”) may refer to the sending,carrying, or transmission of the referenced information. For example,reporting power headroom may refer to the sending or otherwisetransmission of the power headroom. As another example, a framestructure or frame for carrying power headroom may refer to a framestructure or frame configured to carry or otherwise include the powerheadroom.

The frame 350 may also include a data field 368 that may contain theuser data to be communicated, such as between the STA 206, for example,and the AP 202. In some examples, the frame 350 may be referred to as adata frame because it may contain data to be communicated from a firstdevice device (e.g., an AP disclosed herein) to a second device (e.g., aSTA disclosed herein). The data field 368 may include one or more datasymbols. The frame 350 may also include a packet error (PE) field 370,which may include a frame check sequence (FCS) or other error detectionor error correction information. In an aspect, the frame 350 maycorrespond to an HE multi-user (MU) physical layer convergence procedure(PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU) (HE-MU-PPDU).

FIG. 3B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 3B illustrates a frame380 that may be used for transmitting information in a wireless network(e.g., wireless communication system 100 or wireless network 200). Theframe 380 has a different configuration than the frame 350. The frame380 may include a preamble that includes an L-STF 382, an L-LTF 384,L-SIG 386, an RL-SIG 388, an HE-SIG-A 390, an HE-STF 392, and/or one ormore HE-LTF 394 fields. The frame 380 may include a service field 395that carries a scrambler seed and a number of reserved bits which may beused, for example, for reporting power headroom. The frame 380 mayfurther include a user data field 396 and a PE field 398. Unlike theframe 350, the frame 380 may not have an HE-SIG-B field.

In some examples, fields such as HE-SIG-A 360, service field 367, and/ora MAC header of user data field 368 of the frame 350 may be used tocarry transmit power related information disclosed herein. In someexamples, fields such as HE-SIG-A 390, service field 395, and/or a MACheader of user data field 396 of the frame 380 may be used to carrytransmit power related information disclosed herein.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates an exampleframe structure 450 for reporting the maximum transmit power (which mayalso be referred to as maximum transmit power information) of a STA toan AP. In some examples, the frame structure 450 may be an informationelement (IE) with a plurality of fields. The IE may be a high efficiency(HE) IE. In some examples, the HE IE may be an HE capability IE. One ormore fields of the plurality of fields may be used to carry or otherwisereport transmit power related information (e.g., maximum transmit powerof a STA) to an AP. In some examples, the frame structure 450 mayinclude a field, such as field 456 with the example name of “Max TxPower,” configured to carry the maximum transmit power of a STA. Forexample, the STA may be configured to report (e.g., send or otherwisetransmit) the maximum transmit power of the STA to an AP via field 456of the IE. In some examples, the maximum transmit power may be reportedto the AP via a message from the STA to the AP. The Element ID field 452may indicate the identification (ID) of the frame structure 450 and thefield Length 454 may indicate the length of the frame structure 450. Forexample, where the frame structure is an IE, the Element ID field 452may indicate the ID of the IE and the Length field 454 may indicate thelength of the IE.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 4B illustrates an exampleframe structure 400 for reporting the maximum transmit power (which mayalso be referred to as maximum transmit power information) of a STA toan AP. In some examples, the frame structure 400 may be an informationelement (IE) with a plurality of fields. The IE may be a high efficiency(HE) IE. In some examples, the HE IE may be an HE capability IE. In suchexamples, the HE capability IE may be named HE Transmit Power Info IE oranother name. One or more fields of the plurality of fields may be usedto carry or otherwise report transmit power related information (e.g.,maximum transmit power of a STA) to an AP. In some examples, the framestructure 400 may include a field, such as field 410 with the examplename of “Max Tx Power,” configured to carry the maximum transmit powerof a STA. For example, a STA (e.g., STA 114) may be configured to report(e.g., send or otherwise transmit) the maximum transmit power of the STAto an AP via field 410 of the IE. In such an example where the framestructure 400 is an HE capability IE, the STA may be configured toreport (e.g., send or otherwise transmit) the maximum transmit power ofthe STA to an AP via field 410 of the HE capability IE.

In some examples, maximum transmit power information may comprisethirteen bits. For example, thirteen bits may be used to express themaximum transmit power range, for example, from −20 to 30decibel-milliwatts (dBm) with one 1 dBm step size. In such examples, thefield 456 depicted in FIG. 4A and the field 410 depicted in FIG. 4B maybe thirteen bits in length or otherwise have a length large enough tocarry thirteen bits. In some examples, an AP (e.g., AP 104 or AP 202)may notify a STA (e.g., STA 114 or one of STAs 208-212) which IE shouldbe used for sending the maximum transmit power of the STA. For example,an AP (e.g., AP 104) may be configured to notify a STA (e.g., STA 114)regarding whether the STA should use frame structure 450 (e.g., an IE insome examples), frame structure 400 (e.g., an HE capability IE in someexamples), or some other IE for sending the maximum transmit power ofthe STA to the AP. In some examples, an AP (e.g., AP 104) may beconfigured to notify the STA by broadcasting from the AP via a beacon, aprobe, or an association request/response. For example, the beacon,probe, or association request/response may include maximum transmitpower information of a STA, which may be included in a field (e.g., suchas field 456 in frame structure 450 or field 410 in frame structure 400)in the beacon, probe, association request/response, or a managementframe.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the Element ID field 402 may indicate the ID ofthe frame structure 400, the Length field 404 may indicate the length ofthe frame structure 400, the HE capability information field 406 mayindicate features and capabilities of the transmitting node (e.g., STA),and the PPE thresholds field 408 may indicate thresholds used for packetextension computation at a receiver (e.g., an AP).

As used herein, an MCS may refer to an MCS index value. For example,MCS0 may refer to an MCS index value of 0 and MCSN may refer to an MCSindex value N, wherein N is zero or positive integer. An MCS (or MCSindex value) may have associated therewith a modulation scheme (whichmay also be referred to as a modulation type) and a coding scheme (whichmay also be referred to as a coding type or a coding rate). In someexamples, the modulation scheme may include any modulation scheme, suchas Binary Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK) modulation, Quadrature Phase ShiftKeying (QPSK) modulation, quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)modulation (e.g., 16-QAM modulation or 64-QAM modulation). In someexamples, the coding scheme/rate may include any coding scheme/rate,such as P/M where P and M are each a positive integer. In some examples,P may equal M. In other examples, P may be less than M. Example codingschemes/rates may include 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1/3, 2/3, 1/6, 5/6, 1/8, 3/8,5/8, and 7/8. In some examples, MCS (or MCS index value) may haveassociated therewith a data rate. For example, MCS0 may correspond to afirst data rate and MCS1 may correspond to a second data rate In thisexample, a STA transmitting information in accordance with MCS0 mayrefer to the STA transmitting information at the first data rate. Asused herein, reference to power backoff per MCS information may refer topower backoff information corresponding to one or more MCSs. Forexample, a first power backoff may correspond to a first MCS and asecond power backoff may correspond to a second MCS. In some examples,the power backoff information may correspond to one or more MCSs andadditional information, such as bandwidth (e.g., bandwidth of a Wi-Fichannel), a number of spatial streams, and/or a precoding matrix. Insome examples, power backoff per MCS information may refer to a transmitpower backoff from a maximum transmit power to prevent the transmitter(e.g., the power amplifier (PA) of the transmitter) from entering anon-linear state.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 5A illustrates an exampleframe structure 550 for reporting the power backoff per MCS (which mayalso be referred to as power backoff per MCS information) from atransmitter to a receiver (e.g., from a STA to an AP). In some examples,the frame structure 550 may be an information element (IE) with aplurality of fields. The IE may be a high efficiency (HE) IE. In someexamples, the HE IE may be an HE capability IE. One or more fields ofthe plurality of fields may be used to carry or otherwise reporttransmit power related information (e.g., power backoff per MCSinformation) to an AP. In some examples, the frame structure 550 mayinclude a one or more fields to carry power backoff per MCS informationcorresponding to a STA. In some examples, a power backoff per MCS may berepresented by a single octet (8 bits). In other examples, a powerbackoff per MCS may be represented by less than 8 bits or more than 8bits.

In the example of FIG. 5A, power backoff per MCS fields 556-0 to 556-N(where N is any positive integer) are shown. Each of fields 556-0 to556-N may be configured to carry or otherwise include power backoff perMCS information. For example, field 556-0 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS0) andfield 556-N may be configured to carry the Nth power backoff informationcorresponding to the Nth MCS (e.g., MCSN). Example fields between 556-0and 556-N are shown by the reference 556-1 to 556-(N−1), where 556-(N−1)represents the field preceding field 556-N. As an example, where N=15,the frame structure may include 16 power backoff per MCS fields. In suchan example, field 556-0 may be configured to carry the power backoffinformation corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS0), field 556-1 maybe configured to carry the power backoff information corresponding to asecond MCS (e.g., MCS1), field 556-2 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to a third MCS (e.g., MCS2), andthe like.

In some examples, the power backoff per MCS information may be reportedvia a message. For example, the message may include the frame structure550 including the power backoff per MCS information. For example, an APmay be configured to transmit the message containing the power backoffper MCS information to a STA. As another example, a STA may beconfigured to transmit the message containing the power backoff per MCSinformation an AP. In some examples, certain power backoffs forreference MCSs may be signaled (e.g. transmitted to a receiving device),and one or more power backoffs corresponding to one or more MCSs may beinterpolated (e.g., by the receiving device) based on the signaled powerbackoff information for the reference MCSs. For example, a power backoffof 1 dB for reference MCS3 and a power backoff of 3 dB for referenceMCS5 may be signaled and power backoff of 2 dB may be interpolated forMCS4 (which may not be signaled). For example, an MCS component of thereceiving device of transmit power related information (e.g., an AP or aSTA) may be configured to interpolate one or more power backoffs basedon received power backoff per MCS information. In some examples, theElement ID field 552 may indicate the ID of the frame structure 550 andthe Length field 554 may indicate the length of the length of the framestructure 550. For example, where the frame structure is an IE, theElement ID field 552 may indicate the ID of the IE and the Length field554 may indicate the length of the IE.

In some examples, the power backoff per MCS information described inthis disclosure may be a function of bandwidth (e.g., bandwidth of aWi-Fi channel), a number of spatial streams, and/or a precoding matrix.The power backoff per MCS information being a function of bandwidth, anumber of spatial streams, or a precoding matrix may refer to the powerbackoff information for each MCS being dependent upon, being based on,or otherwise corresponding to bandwidth, a number of streams, aprecoding matrix, or any combination thereof. For example, a powerbackoff that is a function of bandwidth may be described as a bandwidthdependent power backoff. As another example, a power backoff that is afunction of a number of spatial streams may be described as a spatialstream dependent power backoff. As another example, a power backoff thatis a function of a precoding matrix may be described as a precodingmatrix dependent power backoff. As another example, a power backoff thatis a function of bandwidth and a number of spatial streams may bedescribed as a bandwidth and spatial stream dependent power backoff. Asanother example, a power backoff that is a function of a number ofspatial streams and a precoding matrix may be described as a spatialstream and precoding matrix dependent power backoff. As another example,a power backoff that is a function of of bandwidth and a precodingmatrix may be described as a bandwidth and precoding matrix dependentpower backoff. As another example, a power backoff that is a function ofbandwidth, a number of spatial streams, and a precoding matrix may bedescribed as a bandwidth, spatial stream, and precoding matrix dependentpower backoff.

In some examples, the bandwidth may refer to the bandwidth that a STA(or any device described herein configured to send power backoff per MCSinformation) may be configured to send or otherwise transmit information(e.g., uplink data) to an AP (or any device described herein configuredto receive power backoff per MCS information). For example, differentpower backoffs (which may also be referred to as power backoff values)may correspond to different bandwidths. Otherwise described, differentpower backoffs may be a function of different bandwidths. The differentbandwidths may correspond to different communication channels. Examplebandwidths may include 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz,or 160 MHz. In some examples, the number of spatial streams may refer toa number of Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) spatial streams or anynumber of spatial streams that a STA (or any device described hereinconfigured to send power backoff per MCS information) may be configuredto send or otherwise transmit information (e.g., uplink data) to an AP(or any device described herein configured to receive power backoff perMCS information). The precoding matrix may refer to an M×N matrix formultiplexing data symbols from different spatial streams onto one ormore antennas. In some examples, M may refer to M transmit antennas(where M is a positive integer) and N may refer to N spatial streams(where N is a positive integer). Each respective spatial stream of the Nspatial streams may include a plurality of data symbols.

For example, the power backoff for a particular MCS may vary based on orotherwise be a function of the bandwidth, the number of spatial streams,and/or a precoding matrix. In such an example, each of power backoff perMCS fields 556-0 through 556-N may include one or more subfields orotherwise be associated with a particular bandwidth and/or a particularnumber of spatial streams. For example, the frame structure 550 may beconfigured to carry power backoff per MCS information corresponding toone or more bandwidths and/or one or more number of spatial streams. Asan example, field 556-0 may be configured to carry the power backoffinformation corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS0) and a firstbandwidth (e.g., 10 MHz), field 556-1 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to the first MCS (e.g., MCS0)and a second bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz), field 556-2 may be configured tocarry the power backoff information corresponding to the first MCS(e.g., MCS0) and a third bandwidth (e.g., 30 MHz), field 556-3 may beconfigured to carry the power backoff information corresponding to asecond MCS (e.g., MCS1) and the first bandwidth (e.g., 10 MHz), field556-4 may be configured to carry the power backoff informationcorresponding to the second MCS (e.g., MCS1) and the second bandwidth(e.g., 20 MHz), and field 556-5 may be configured to carry the powerbackoff information corresponding to the second MCS (e.g., MCS1) and thethird bandwidth (e.g., 30 MHz).

In other examples, the frame structure 550 may carry power backoffinformation corresponding to one or more MCSs, one or more bandwidths,and/or one or more number of spatial streams. As an example, field 556-0may be configured to carry the power backoff information correspondingto a first MCS (e.g., MCS0) and a first number of spatial streams (e.g.,1 spatial stream), field 556-1 may be configured to carry the powerbackoff information corresponding to the first MCS (e.g., MCS0) and asecond number of spatial streams (e.g., 2 spatial streams), field 556-2may be configured to carry the power backoff information correspondingto the first MCS (e.g., MCS0) and a third number of spatial streams(e.g., 3 spatial streams), field 556-3 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to a second MCS (e.g., MCS1) andthe first number of spatial streams (e.g., 1 spatial stream), field556-4 may be configured to carry the power backoff informationcorresponding to the second MCS (e.g., MCS1) and the second number ofspatial streams (e.g., 2 spatial streams), and field 556-5 may beconfigured to carry the power backoff information corresponding to thesecond MCS (e.g., MCS1) and the third number of spatial streams (e.g., 3spatial streams).

As another example, field 556-0 may be configured to carry the powerbackoff information corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS4), a firstbandwidth (e.g., 2.5 MHz), and a first number of spatial streams (e.g.,1 spatial stream); field 556-1 may be configured to carry the powerbackoff information corresponding to the first MCS (e.g., MCS4), asecond bandwidth (e.g., 5 MHz), and the first number of spatial streams(e.g., 1 spatial stream); field 556-2 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to the first MCS (e.g., MCS4),the first bandwidth (e.g., 2.5 MHz), and a second number of spatialstreams (e.g., 2 spatial streams); field 556-3 may be configured tocarry the power backoff information corresponding to a second MCS (e.g.,MCS7), the first bandwidth (e.g., 2.5 MHz), and the first number ofspatial streams (e.g., 1 spatial stream); field 556-4 may be configuredto carry the power backoff information corresponding to the second MCS(e.g., MCS7), the second bandwidth (e.g., 5 MHz), and the first numberof spatial streams (e.g., 1 spatial stream); and field 556-5 may beconfigured to carry the power backoff information corresponding to thesecond MCS (e.g., MCS7), the first bandwidth (e.g., 2.5 MHz), and thesecond number of spatial streams (e.g., 2 spatial streams).

As another example, field 556-0 may be configured to carry the powerbackoff information corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS2), a firstbandwidth (e.g., 40 MHz), a first number of spatial streams (e.g., 1spatial stream), and a first precoding matrix; and field 556-1 may beconfigured to carry the power backoff information corresponding to asecond MCS (e.g., MCS3), the first bandwidth (e.g., 40 MHz), the firstnumber of spatial streams (e.g., 1 spatial stream), and the firstprecoding matrix.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 5B illustrates an exampleframe structure 500 for reporting the power backoff per MCS (which mayalso be referred to as power backoff per MCS information) from atransmitter to a receiver (e.g., from a STA to an AP). In some examples,the frame structure 500 may be an information element (IE) with aplurality of fields. The IE may be a high efficiency (HE) IE. In someexamples, the HE IE may be an HE capability IE. In such examples, the HEcapability IE may be named HE Transmit Power Info IE or another name.One or more fields of the plurality of fields may be used to carry orotherwise report transmit power related information (e.g., power backoffper MCS information) to an AP. In some examples, the frame structure 500may include a one or more fields to carry power backoff per MCSinformation corresponding to a STA. In some examples, a power backoffper MCS may be represented by a single octet (8 bits). In otherexamples, a power backoff per MCS may be represented by less than 8 bitsor more than 8 bits.

In the example of FIG. 5B, power backoff per MCS fields 510-0 to 510-N(where N is any positive integer) are shown. Each of fields 510-0 to510-N may be configured to carry or otherwise include power backoff perMCS information. For example, field 510-0 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS0) andfield 510-N may be configured to carry the Nth power backoff informationcorresponding to the Nth MCS (e.g., MCSN). Example fields between 510-0and 510-N are shown by the reference 510-1 to 510-(N−1), where 510-(N−1)represents the field preceding field 510-N. As an example, where N=15,the frame structure may include 16 power backoff per MCS fields. In suchan example, field 510-0 may be configured to carry the power backoffinformation corresponding to a first MCS (e.g., MCS0), field 510-1 maybe configured to carry the power backoff information corresponding to asecond MCS (e.g., MCS1), field 510-2 may be configured to carry thepower backoff information corresponding to a third MCS (e.g., MCS2), andthe like.

In some examples, the power backoff per MCS information may be reportedvia a message. For example, the message may include the frame structure500 including the power backoff per MCS information. For example, an APmay be configured to transmit the message containing the power backoffper MCS information to a STA. As another example, a STA may beconfigured to transmit the message containing the power backoff per MCSinformation an AP. In some examples, certain power backoffs forreference MCSs may be signaled (e.g. transmitted to a receiving device),and one or more power backoffs corresponding to one or more MCSs may beinterpolated (e.g., by the receiving device) based on the signaled powerbackoff information for the reference MCSs. For example, a power backoffof 1 dB for reference MCS3 and a power backoff of 3 dB for referenceMCSS may be signaled and power backoff of 2 dB may be interpolated forMCS4 (which may not be signaled). For example, an MCS component of thereceiving device of transmit power related information (e.g., an AP or aSTA) may be configured to interpolate one or more power backoffs basedon received power backoff per MCS information. In some examples, theElement ID field 502 may indicate the ID of the frame structure 500, theLength field 504 may indicate the length of the frame structure 500, theHE capability information field 506 may indicate features andcapabilities of the transmitting node (e.g., STA), and the PPEthresholds field 508 may indicate thresholds used for packet extensioncomputation at a receiver (e.g., an AP).

In some examples, an AP (e.g., AP 104 or AP 202) may notify a STA (e.g.,STA 114 or one of STAs 208-212) which IE should be used for sendingpower backoff per MCS information (e.g., power backoff per MCSinformation corresponding to the STA). For example, an AP may beconfigured to notify a STA regarding whether the STA should use framestructure 550 (e.g., an IE in some examples), frame structure 500 (e.g.,an HE capability IE in some examples), or some other IE for sending thepower backoff per MCS information to the AP. In some examples, an AP(e.g., AP 104) may be configured to notify the STA by broadcasting fromthe AP via a beacon, a probe, or an association request/response. Forexample, the beacon, probe, or association request/response may includepower backoff per MCS information corresponding to a STA, which may beincluded in a field (e.g., such as one or more fields 556-0 to 556-N inframe structure 550 or one or more fields 510-0 to 510-N in framestructure 500) in the beacon, probe, association request/response, or amanagement frame.

In some examples, power backoff per MCS information may be signaled asmaximum transmit power per MCS, where maximum transmit power per MCS maybe defined as maximum transmit power minus power backoff per MCS. Insome examples, power backoff information corresponding to one or more(e.g., all) MCSs may be signaled as an index defined in a standard, suchas an 802.11 standard. In other examples, as described herein, one ormore power backoffs for reference MCSs may be signaled by a transmittingdevice (e.g., a STA), and the receiving device (e.g., an AP) may beconfigured to interpolate one or more power backoffs corresponding toone or more MCSs based on the signaled power backoff information for thereference MCSs. For example, a power backoff of 1 dB for reference MCS3and a power backoff of 3 dB for reference MCSS may be signaled and powerbackoff of 2 dB may be interpolated for MCS4 (which may not besignaled). For example, an MCS component of the receiving device oftransmit power related information (e.g., an AP or a STA) may beconfigured to interpolate one or more power backoffs based on receivedpower backoff per MCS information.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 6A illustrates an exampleframe structure 650 for reporting actual transmit power (which may alsobe referred to as actual transmit power information) and/or powerheadroom (which may also be referred to as power headroom information)of a STA from a transmitter to a receiver (e.g., from the STA to an AP).In some examples, the frame structure 650 may be an information element(IE) with one or more fields. The IE may be a high efficiency (HE) IE.In some examples, the HE IE may be an HE capability IE. One or morefields of the plurality of fields may be used to carry or otherwisereport transmit power related information (e.g., actual transmit powerand/or power headroom of a STA) to an AP. In some examples, the framestructure 650 may include a field, such as field 652 with the examplename of “Actual Tx Power,” configured to carry the actual transmit powerof a STA. For example, the STA may be configured to report (e.g., sendor otherwise transmit) the actual transmit power of the STA to an AP viafield 652 of the IE. In some examples, the frame structure 650 mayinclude a field, such as field 654 with the example name of “PowerHeadroom,” configured to carry the power headroom of a STA. For example,the STA may be configured to report (e.g., send or otherwise transmit)the power headroom of the STA to an AP via field 654 of the IE. In someexamples, the actual transmit power of a STA and/or power headroom of aSTA may be reported to the AP via a message from the STA to the AP.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example frame structure in accordance with thetechniques described herein. For example, FIG. 6B illustrates an exampleframe structure 600 for reporting actual transmit power and/or powerheadroom of a STA from a transmitter to a receiver (e.g., from the STAto an AP). In some examples, the frame structure 600 may be aninformation element (IE) with a plurality of fields. The IE may be ahigh efficiency (HE) IE. In some examples, the HE IE may be an HEcontrol field. In such examples, the HE control field may be named HEControl Field for Tx Power Info or another name. One or more fields ofthe plurality of fields may be used to carry or otherwise reporttransmit power related information (e.g., actual transmit power and/orpower headroom of a STA) to an AP. In some examples, the frame structure600 may include a control ID field 602 configured to carry an ID (e.g.,a 4-bit ID in some examples) corresponding to the frame structure 600.The frame structure 600 may include a field, such as field 604 with theexample name of “Actual Tx Power,” configured to carry the actualtransmit power of a STA. For example, the STA may be configured toreport (e.g., send or otherwise transmit) the actual transmit power ofthe STA to an AP via field 604 of the HE control field (in someexamples, fields 602, 604, and 606 may be considered sub-fields to theHE control field). In some examples, the frame structure 600 may includea field, such as field 606 with the example name of “Power Headroom,”configured to carry the power headroom of a STA. For example, the STAmay be configured to report (e.g., send or otherwise transmit) the powerheadroom of the STA to an AP via field 606 of the HE control field. Insome examples, the actual transmit power of a STA and/or power headroomof a STA may be reported to the AP via a message from the STA to the AP.

In some examples, reporting of one of either the actual transmit poweror the power head room may be enough, and may be carried in an HE-SIG-Afield of the preamble (e.g., in the spatial reuse field). For example,the HE-SIG-A field may be carried in a PHY header of HE PPDUs.Additionally, if actual transmit power and/or power head roominformation is sent in frame structure 600, the actual transmit powerand/or power head room information may be transmitted with acorresponding control ID. In some examples, the frame structure 600 maybe sent in a MAC header of one or more data frames. In some examples, anIE may be typically sent in dedicated frames, like management or actionframes, e.g. probe request/response, association request/response.Therefore, as described herein, bandwidth consumption may be reduced byincluding transmit power related information in a data frame instead ofa dedicated frame.

Although, FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B illustrate exampleaspects of reporting various types of transmit power relatedinformation, a combination (e.g., one or more) of different types oftransmit power related information (e.g., maximum transmit powerinformation, power backoff per MCS information, actual transmit powerinformation, and/or power headroom information) may be reported in oneor more frame structures and/or one or more messages transmitted to theAP.

The various frame structures depicted in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B,6A, and 6B may be included or other carried in a MAC header or aphysical layer (PHY) header of a frame (e.g., a data frame or a controlframe). Otherwise described, any transmit power related informationdescribed herein (such as the transmit power related informationdescribed with respect to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B) maybe included or otherwise carried in a MAC header or a physical layer(PHY) header of a frame (e.g., a data frame or a control frame). In someexamples, a reduction in bandwidth and an increase in efficiency may berealized by including the transmit power related information in a dataframe instead of a control frame because a follow-up frame to the dataframe may not be sent to communicate the transmit power relatedinformation to the destination device. In other examples, sendingtransmit power related information from a first device (e.g., a STA) toa second device (e.g., an AP) may enable the second device to increasethe goodput of the first device and/or schedule a more efficientconsumption of bandwidth. For example, the second device in suchexamples may be configured to determine the allocated MCS (e.g.,allocated data rate) for the first device based on the transmit powerrelated information corresponding to the first device. Otherwisedescribed, by receiving the transmit power related informationcorresponding to the first device, the second device may be configuredto more accurately determine (e.g., select) an uplink (UL) MCS for thefirst device. In some examples, the second device may be configured tomore accurately determine the MCS by being configured to determine anSINR corresponding to the first device based on the transmit powerrelated information received from the first device, thus making the SINRdetermination more accurate. The second device may be configured toschedule uplink transmissions for multiple first devices (e.g., multipleSTAs) in such examples; and, as such, the selection of a respective MCSfor each respective first device among the multiple first devices is oneexample of enabling more efficient bandwidth consumption management.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example flow diagram 700 between a first device702 (e.g., a STA described herein) in communication with a second device704 (e.g., an AP described herein) in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein. In other examples, one or more techniques describedherein may be added to the flow diagram 700 and/or one or moretechniques depicted in the flow diagram may be removed.

In the example of FIG. 7, the first device 702 may be configured togenerate a message including transmit power related informationcorresponding to the first device 702. In some examples, the transmitpower related information may include one or more examples of transmitpower related information described herein.

For example, the transmit power related information may include powerbackoff per modulation and coding scheme information. The power backoffper modulation and coding scheme information may include a plurality ofpower backoffs including a first power backoff corresponding to a firstmodulation and coding scheme and a second power backoff corresponding toa second modulation and coding scheme. Each power backoff of theplurality of power backoffs may be a function of at least one of: arespective bandwidth or a respective number of spatial streams. Asanother example, the transmit power related information may include atleast one of: a maximum transmit power, power backoff per modulation andcoding scheme information, or an actual transmit power.

In some examples, the first device 702 may be configured to generate themessage including transmit power related information corresponding tothe first device in response to a trigger event. In some examples, thefirst device 702 may be configured to determine to transmit powerrelated information corresponding to the first device 702. In suchexamples, the trigger event includes the determination to transmit thetransmit power related information. As one example, the first device 702may be configured to determine to transmit the transmit power relatedinformation to the second device 704. In this example, the trigger eventincludes the determination to transmit the transmit power relatedinformation to the second device 704. As another example, the firstdevice 702 may be configured to determine to broadcast the transmitpower related information. In this example, the trigger event includesthe determination to broadcast the transmit power related information.In some examples, broadcasting information, such as transmit powerrelated information, may refer to the transmission of the information toone or more recipient devices (e.g., any STA, AP, or device describedherein). The second device 704 is an example of a recipient device.

In some examples, the first device 702 may be configured to initiate anassociation procedure with the second device. In such examples, thetrigger event includes the initiation of the association procedure withthe second device. In some examples, an association procedure may referto a procedure in which two apparatuses (e.g., the first device 702 andthe second device 704) share information about themselves forestablishing a connection or the like. In some examples, the firstdevice 702 may be configured to complete an association procedure withthe second device 704. In such examples, the trigger event includes thecompletion of the association procedure with the second device 704. Insome examples, the first device 702 may be configured to receive anassociation procedure request, such as from the second device 704. Insuch examples, the trigger event includes the reception of theassociation procedure request. In some examples, the first device 702may be configured to receive a request for the transmit power relatedinformation, such as from the second device 704. In such examples, thetrigger event includes the reception of the request for the transmitpower related information. In some examples, the second device 704 maybe configured to transmit capability information indicative that thesecond device 704 is capable of processing transmit power relatedinformation. For example, the second device 704 may be configured totransmit capability information to the first device 702, where thecapability information is indicative that the second device 704 iscapable of processing transmit power related information. In someexamples, the first device 702 may be configured to receive capabilityinformation indicative that the second device 704 is capable ofprocessing transmit power related information. In such examples, thetrigger event includes the reception of the capability information. Forexample, the first device 702 may be configured to receive capabilityinformation from the second device 704 indicative that the second device704 is capable of processing transmit power related information.

The first device 702 may be configured to send transmit power relatedinformation to the second device 704. In some examples, the transmitpower related information may be sent in a MAC header or a PHY header ofa frame (e.g., a data frame). The transmit power related information mayinclude at least one of: maximum transmit power informationcorresponding to the first device, power backoff per modulation andcoding scheme information corresponding to the first device, actualtransmit power information corresponding to the first device, or powerheadroom corresponding to the first device. The second device 704 may beconfigured to receive the transmit power related information.

At block 710, the second device 704 may be configured to processtransmit power related information received from the first device 702according to the techniques described herein. In some examples, the termprocess may refer to analyze. For example, the second device 704 may beconfigured to perform one or more processes using the transmit powerrelated information. The one or more processes are depicted as process1, process 2, and process N, where process N is a positive integer andrepresents the Nth process.

At block 720, the second device 720 may be configured to select an MCSfor scheduling an uplink transmission with the second device 704 inaccordance with the selected MCS. The second device 704 may beconfigured to send scheduling information including the selected MCS tothe first device 702. The first device 702 may be configured to receivethe scheduling information including the selected MCS from the seconddevice 704. The first device 702 may be configured to send informationin an uplink transmission to the second device 704 in accordance withthe selected MCS included in the scheduling information.

In some examples, the second device 704 may be configured to determine asignal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for a first MCS based onthe transmit power related information (e.g., based on a power backoffcorresponding to the first MCS) received from the first device 702. Insuch examples, this SINR determination may be referred to as process 1depicted in FIG. 7. In some examples, the SINR may refer to a maximumachievable SINR. In some examples, the second device 704 may beconfigured to determine a packet error rate corresponding to the firstMCS based on the SINR determined from process 1. In such examples, thispacket error rate determination may be referred to as process 2. In someexamples, the second device 704 may be configured to determine whetherthe packet error rate determined from process 2 is less than a thresholdvalue. In such examples, this packet error rate determination may bereferred to as process 3. In some examples, the threshold may include apercentage within 1% to 20%. For example, the threshold may be 1%, 3%,10%, 12.5%, 15%, or 20%. In other examples, the threshold value may beless than 1%. In other examples, the threshold value may be less than30%.

In some examples, the second device 704 may be configured to select, atblock 720, the first MCS based on the SINR determined from process 1. Insome examples, the second device 704 may be configured to select, atblock 720, the first MCS based on the packet error rate determined fromprocess 2. In some examples, the second device 704 may be configured toselect, at block 720, the first MCS based on the packet error ratedetermination from process 3. For example, the second device 704 may beconfigured to select the first MCS based on the first packet error ratebeing less than the threshold value.

In some examples, the second device 704 may be configured to determinean SINR for a second MCS based on the transmit power related information(e.g., based on a power backoff corresponding to the second MCS)received from the first device 702. In such examples, this SINRdetermination may also be referred to as process 1 depicted in FIG. 7.For example, process 1 may be described as being applied to one or morepower backoffs, or an SINR determination process. In some examples, thesecond device 704 may be configured to determine a packet error ratecorresponding to the second MCS based on the SINR determined fromprocess 1 corresponding to the second MCS. In such examples, this packeterror rate determination may be referred to as process 2 (as applied tothe SINR determined for the second MCS). For example, process 2 may bedescribed as a packet error rate determination process. In someexamples, the second device 704 may be configured to determine whetherthe packet error rate determined from process 2 corresponding to thesecond MCS is less than the threshold value. In such examples, thispacket error rate determination may be referred to as process 3 (asapplied to the packet error rate determination for the second MCS). Forexample, process 3 may be described as packet error rate thresholddetermination process. In some examples, the second device 704 may beconfigured to compare a first data rate corresponding to the first MCSwith a second data rate corresponding to the second MCS when the firstpacket error rate and the second packet error rate are both determinedto be less than the threshold value. In such examples, this comparisonmay be referred to as process 4.

In some examples, the second device 704 may be configured to select, atblock 720, the first MCS based on the comparison result from process 4.For example, the second device 704 may be configured to select, at block720, the first MCS based on the first data rate corresponding to thefirst MCS being greater than the second data rate corresponding to thesecond MCS.

In some examples, an MCS component 730 of the second device 704 may beconfigured to perform one or more processes described with respect toblock 710 and/or one or more processes described with respect to block720. For example, the MCS component 730 may be configured to perform anyprocessing (e.g., functions, steps, or the like) described herein withrespect to transmit power related information. The second device 704 mayinclude a receiver 740 and a transmitter 742. The receiver 740 may beconfigured to perform any receiving function described herein. Forexample, the receiver 740 may be configured to receive the transmitpower related information sent by the first device 702. For example, thereceiver 740 may be configured to receive transmit power relatedinformation sent by a transmitter of the first device. The transmitter742 may be configured to perform any transmitting function describedherein. For example, the transmitter 742 may be configured to sendscheduling information including a selected MCS to the first device. Thefirst device may include a receiver configured to receive the schedulinginformation. The receiver 740 and the transmitter 742 may be combinedinto a transceiver 744.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein. The method 800 may beperformed using a first apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or devicedescribed herein).

At block 810, a receiver of the first apparatus may be configured toreceive transmit power related information from a transmitter of, forexample, a second apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or device describedherein). In some examples, the transmit power related information mayinclude at least one of a maximum transmit power, a power backoff permodulation and coding scheme (MCS), or an actual transmit power. Thereceiver of the first apparatus may be configured to store receivedtransmit power related information in a memory accessible by the firstapparatus (e.g., a memory of the first apparatus). Although the transmitpower related information may include maximum transmit powerinformation, power backoff per MCS information, and/or actual transmitpower information, not all have to be reported by the second apparatus.In some examples, any combination of maximum transmit power information,power backoff per MCS information, and/or actual transmit powerinformation may be reported by the second apparatus and received by thefirst apparatus.

In some examples, transmit power related information may be sent by thetransmitter of the second apparatus in, for example, a management frame(such as an association request during an association procedure) or inan HE control field in a MAC header of a data frame. In some examples,the second apparatus may be configured to not receive a trigger frame(TF) prior to transmitting the transmit power related information to thefirst apparatus. For example, receipt of a TF at the second apparatusprior to transmitting of the transmit power related information to thefirst apparatus may be optional. In other examples, the first apparatusmay be configured to send a trigger frame (e.g., trigger frame 216) tothe second apparatus. The first apparatus may be configured to broadcastthe trigger frame to the second apparatus for triggering or initiating aMU-MIMO communication on the UL from second apparatus to the firstapparatus. For example, receipt of the trigger frame by the secondapparatus may trigger or initiate MU-MIMO configuration at the secondapparatus for one or more UL transmissions to the first apparatus. Insome examples, the trigger frame may include scheduling information,resource allocations, and an assigned or allocated rate (e.g., a datarate for uplink transmission) for the second apparatus.

At block 820, the first apparatus may be configured to estimate amaximum achievable SINR per MCS based at least on the power backoff perMCS of the transmitter. In some examples, the first apparatus mayinclude an MCS component. As used herein, any component (including butnot limited to an MCS component) may, for example, be a speciallyprogrammed processor module configured to perform any functions, steps,or the like described in relation thereto; or a processor configured toexecute code stored in a memory that, when executed, cause the processorto perform any functions, steps, or the like described in relationthereto. For example, the MCS component of the first apparatus may beconfigured to estimate a maximum achievable SINR per MCS based at leaston the power backoff per MCS of the transmitter.

At block 830, the first apparatus may be configured to estimate an MCSbased at least on the received transmit power related information. Forexample, the MCS component of the first apparatus may be configured toestimate an MCS for an uplink transmission of the second apparatus basedat least on the received transmit power related information.

In some examples, when the transmit power related information receivedincludes the maximum transmit power of the transmitter of the secondapparatus, the first apparatus may be configured to estimate the maximumachievable SINR of the transmitter of the second apparatus as SINR of acurrent frame+(maximum transmit power−current transmit power). In someexamples, when the transmit power related information received includespower backoff per MCS information, the first apparatus may be configuredto estimate the maximum achievable SINR per MCS by subtracting the powerbackoff per MCS from maximum transmit power. Based on maximum achievableSINR per MCS, the first apparatus may be configure to determine the bestpossible (e.g., highest, second highest, etc.) MCS to maximize goodput,which may be defined as: (the data rate corresponding to the MCS)multiplied by (1 minus the packet error rate corresponding to the MCS atthe maximum achievable SINR determined for the MCS). In some examples,when the transmit power related information received includes the actualpower of the transmitter, the first apparatus may be configured toestimate path loss to the transmitter by actual transmit power minusreceiver signal strength indication (RSSI) received from the transmitterof the second device. In examples where the transmit power relatedinformation received includes the power headroom, the first apparatusmay be configured to estimate a maximum achievable SINR per MCS byadding power headroom to a current SINR for that MCS. In some examples,the current SINR for an MCS may refer to the current received signalstrength indicator (SSI) for the MCS divided by total interference plusnoise power, which may be described as: received SSI/(totalinterference+noise power).

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to receive thetransmit power related information from the second apparatus in therespective resource allocated to the second apparatus by the firstapparatus. Additionally, the goodput of the second apparatus may beimproved if the first apparatus determines the allocated rate (which maybe referred to as a selected MCS) for the second apparatus based atleast on the latest channel state and interference level values at thesecond apparatus as the latest values allow the first apparatus to moreaccurately estimate the latest SINR at the second apparatus anddetermine the UL MCS for the second apparatus. The latest channel stateinformation and the interference level values are two examples ofinformation that may be used in conjunction with the transmit powerrelated information. In an example, the first apparatus may beconfigured to estimate the latest SINR and use the estimated SINR topredict (e.g., select) the MCS for the second apparatus.

In some examples, the transmit power related information received at thefirst apparatus from the second apparatus may include a maximum transmitpower, a power backoff per MCS, or an actual transmit power (or powerheadroom). The second apparatus may be configured to send the transmitpower related information in a resource allocated by the firstapparatus. For example, the second apparatus may have a dedicatedresource allocated to it by the first apparatus. In some examples, thesecond apparatus may be configured to send its transmit power relatedinformation in the resource allocated to the second apparatus by thefirst apparatus. In some examples, the first apparatus may be configuredto estimate UL SINRs and estimate (e.g., predict or otherwise select) anMCS for the second apparatus to use in UL transmissions to the firstapparatus based at least on the transmit power related informationreceived from the second apparatus. The first apparatus may beconfigured to receive the transmit power related informationcorresponding to the second apparatus via one or more frame structures,such as the one or more frame structures described with respect to FIGS.3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B herein.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to estimate themaximum achievable SINR for the second apparatus based at least on themaximum transmit power information sent by the second apparatus. Forexample, the second apparatus may be configured to determine the maximumtransmit power based on the maximum output power at an antenna port ofthe second apparatus.

As described herein, power backoff per MCS information may refer to atransmit power backoff from a maximum transmit power to prevent thepower amplifier (PA) of a transmitter from entering a non-linear state.For example, power backoff per MCS information for a STA may refer to atransmit power backoff from a maximum transmit power of a transmitter ofthe STA to prevent the transmitter (e.g., the power amplifier (PA) ofthe transmitter) of the STA from entering a non-linear state. As anexample, if the transmit power of a STA increases from 20 dB to 30 dB,the increase in the transmit power may cause the PA of the transmitterto enter a non-linear region of operation which may distort the signal.Therefore, in some examples, a STA may use a power backoff per MCS tolimit the actual transmit power and report the power backoff per MCS toan AP. In an aspect, the power backoff per MCS may be configured in thefirmware of the STA and may be reported for each MCS index value. Insome examples, an AP may use the power backoff per MCS to estimate amaximum SINR per MCS and therefore determine the best (e.g., highestpossible, second highest, third highest, etc.) MCS for the STA. Forexample, in an example, the best MCS (e.g., for a UL transmission fromthe STA to the AP) may be defined as the highest MCS (or highest MCSindex/MCS index value) with a packet error rate (PER) below a thresholdat the estimated SINR for this MCS. In some examples, the backoff perMCS may be a function of bandwidth (e.g., channel bandwidth), number ofspatial streams, and/or pre-coding matrix. For a given MCS, a powerbackoff may be different for different bandwidths (e.g., a 3 dB powerbackoff for a 40 MHz channel, a 6 dB power backoff for a 80 MHzchannel), and/or different streams with the given MCS (e.g., a 3 dBpower backoff for 1 stream, or a 6 dB backoff for 2 streams, etc.).

In some examples, actual transmit power may be defined as actualtransmit power of a transmitted frame. An AP may be configured to usethe actual transmit power of a transmitted frame to estimate the pathloss during transmission of the frame from the STA to the AP. Powerheadroom for a transmitted frame may, in some examples, be defined asreference transmit power minus actual transmit power. The referencetransmit power may be a maximum transmit power, or maximum transmitpower minus power backoff. However, because the maximum transmit powermay be derived by adding the actual transmit power and the powerheadroom, not all of maximum transmit power, actual transmit power, andpower headroom values may be included in transmit power relatedinformation sent by, for example, a STA to an AP. For example, less thanall of power headroom, maximum transmit power, and actual transmit powermay be signaled.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein. The method 900 may beperformed using a first apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or devicedescribed herein).

At block 910, the first apparatus may be configured to receive transmitpower related information corresponding to a second apparatus (e.g., anySTA, AP, or device described herein). The transmit power relatedinformation may include power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation. The power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation may include a first plurality of power backoffs including afirst power backoff corresponding to a first modulation and codingscheme and a second power backoff corresponding to a second modulationand coding scheme. Each power backoff of the first plurality of powerbackoffs may be a function of at least one of: a respective bandwidth ora respective number of spatial streams. In some examples, the firstapparatus may be configured to store the transmit power relatedinformation in a memory accessible by the first apparatus (e.g., amemory of the first apparatus).

At block 920, the first apparatus may be configured to determine, basedon the first power backoff corresponding to the first modulation andcoding scheme, a first SINR for the first modulation and coding schemeof a second plurality of power backoffs. In some examples, the SINR mayinclude a maximum achievable SINR. The second plurality of powerbackoffs may be a subset of the first plurality of power backoffs. Eachpower backoff of the second plurality of power backoffs may be afunction of a first bandwidth or a first number of spatial streams. Forexample, if each power backoff of the second plurality of power backoffsis a function of the first bandwidth, then the first bandwidth is therespective bandwidth for each power backoff of the second plurality ofpower backoffs. As another example, if each power backoff of the secondplurality of power backoffs is a function of the first number of spatialstreams, then the first number of spatial streams is the respectivenumber of spatial streams for each power backoff of the second pluralityof power backoffs. In some examples, each power backoff of the firstplurality of power backoffs may be a function of a respective precodingmatrix. In some examples, each power backoff of the second plurality ofpower backoffs may be a function of a first precoding matrix. Forexample, if each power backoff of the second plurality of power backoffsis a function of the first precoding matrix, then the first precodingmatrix is the respective precoding matrix for each power backoff of thesecond plurality of power backoffs. In some examples, the firstapparatus may be an AP and the second apparatus may be a STA. In otherexamples, the first apparatus may be a STA and the second apparatus maybe a AP.

At block 930, the first apparatus may be configured to select, based onthe first SINR, the first modulation and coding scheme for scheduling anuplink transmission with the second apparatus in accordance with thefirst modulation and coding scheme.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to determine,based on the first SINR, a first packet error rate corresponding to thefirst modulation and coding scheme. In such examples, the firstapparatus may be configured to select the first modulation and codingscheme based on the first SINR by being configured to select the firstmodulation and coding scheme based on the first packet error rate. Insome examples, the first apparatus may be configured to determinewhether the first packet error rate is less than a threshold value. Insuch examples, the first apparatus may be configured to select the firstmodulation and coding scheme based on the first SINR by being configuredto select the first modulation and coding scheme based on the firstpacket error rate being less than the threshold value. The thresholdvalue may include a percentage within 1% to 20%. For example, thethreshold may be 1%, 3%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, or 20%. In other examples, thethreshold value may be less than 1%. In other examples, the thresholdvalue may be less than 30%.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to determine,based on the second power backoff corresponding to the second modulationand coding scheme, a second SINR for the second modulation and codingscheme of the second plurality of power backoffs. The first apparatusmay be configured to determine, based on the second SINR, a secondpacket error rate corresponding to the second modulation and codingscheme. The first apparatus may be configured to determine whether thesecond packet error rate is less than the threshold value. In someexamples, the first apparatus may be configured to select the firstmodulation and coding scheme based on the first SINR by being configuredto select the first modulation and coding scheme based on the firstmodulation and coding scheme having a first data rate greater than asecond data rate of the second modulation and coding scheme. In someexamples, the first apparatus may be configured to compare a first datarate corresponding to the first modulation and coding scheme with asecond data rate corresponding to the second modulation and codingscheme when the first packet error rate and the second packet error rateare both determined to be less than the threshold value. In suchexamples, the first apparatus may be configured to select the firstmodulation and coding scheme based on the first SINR by being configuredto select the first modulation and coding scheme based on the first datarate being greater than the second data rate.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to receive thepower backoff per modulation and coding scheme information in a highefficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) of a frame. Theframe may be a data frame or an HE control frame. The first apparatusmay be configured to receive the power backoff per modulation and codingscheme information in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physicallayer (PHY) header of a data frame. In some examples, a message may be aframe or a data frame.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein. The method 1000 may beperformed using a first apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or devicedescribed herein).

At block 1010, the first apparatus may be configured to receive a dataframe including a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physical layer(PHY) header. The MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame mayinclude transmit power related information corresponding to a secondapparatus. In some examples, a message may be a frame or a data frame.Similarly, a frame or a data frame may be a message, provided that themessage includes data if the message is a data frame. The transmit powerrelated information may include at least one of: a maximum transmitpower, power backoff per modulation and coding scheme information, or anactual transmit power. In some examples, the first apparatus may beconfigured to store the transmit power related information in a memoryaccessible by the first apparatus (e.g., a memory of the firstapparatus). In some examples, the first apparatus may be an AP and thesecond apparatus may be a STA. In other examples, the first apparatusmay be a STA and the second apparatus may be a AP.

At block 1020, the first apparatus may be configured to select, based onthe transmit power related information, a first modulation and codingscheme for scheduling an uplink transmission with the second apparatusin accordance with the first modulation and coding scheme.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to determine,based on the transmit power related information, a first SINR for thefirst modulation and coding scheme. In such examples, the firstapparatus may be configured to select the first modulation and codingscheme based on the transmit power related information by beingconfigured to select the first modulation and coding scheme based on theon the first SINR. In some examples, the SINR may include a maximumachievable SINR. In some examples, the first apparatus may be configuredto determine, based on the first SINR, a first packet error ratecorresponding to the first modulation and coding scheme. In suchexamples, the first apparatus may be configured to select the firstmodulation and coding scheme based on the first SINR by being configuredto select the first modulation and coding scheme based on the firstpacket error rate. In some examples, the first apparatus may beconfigured to determine whether the first packet error rate is less thana threshold value. In such examples, the first apparatus may beconfigured to select the first modulation and coding scheme based on thefirst packet error rate by being configured to select the firstmodulation and coding scheme based on the first packet error rate beingless than the threshold value. The threshold value may include apercentage within 1% to 20%. For example, the threshold may be 1%, 3%,10%, 12.5%, 15%, or 20%. In other examples, the threshold value may beless than 1%. In other examples, the threshold value may be less than30%.

In some examples, the maximum transmit power may correspond to a maximumoutput power at an antenna port of a transmitter of the secondapparatus. The MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame mayinclude a high efficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) thatincludes the transmit power related information. The MAC header or thePHY header of the data frame may include a high efficiency (HE) controlfield that includes the transmit power related information. The MACheader or the PHY header of the data frame may include a highefficiency-signal-A (HE-SIG-A) field that includes the transmit powerrelated information.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device 1102 configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein. The wireless device 1102 is an example of a devicethat may be configured to implement various techniques described herein.For example, the wireless device 1102 may be an AP or a STA describedherein.

The wireless device 1102 may include a processor 1104 configured tocontrol the operation of the wireless device 1102. The processor 1104may, in some examples, be referred to as a central processing unit(CPU). Memory 1106 may include both read-only memory (ROM) and randomaccess memory (RAM). The processor 1104 may be configured to receiveinstructions and data from the memory 1106. A portion of the memory 1106may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). Theprocessor 1104 may be configured to perform logical and arithmeticoperations based on program instructions stored in the memory 1106. Theinstructions in the memory 1106 may be executable (by the processor1104, for example) to implement the techniques described herein.

The processor 1104 may comprise or be a component of a processing systemimplemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors maybe implemented with any combination of general-purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that canperform calculations or other manipulations of information.

The processing system may also include machine-readable media forstoring software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any typeof instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions mayinclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause theprocessing system to perform the various functions described herein.

The wireless device 1102 may also include a housing 1108, and thewireless device 1102 may include a transmitter 1110 and/or a receiver1112 to allow transmission and/or reception of information between thewireless device 1102 and a another device. The transmitter 1110 and thereceiver 1112 may be combined into a transceiver 1114. An antenna 1116may be attached to the housing 1108 and electrically coupled to thetransceiver 1114. The wireless device 1102 may also include multipletransmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers, and/or multipleantennas.

The wireless device 1102 may also include a signal detector 1118 thatmay be configured to detect and quantify the level of signals receivedby the transceiver 1114 or the receiver 1112. The signal detector 1118may be configured to detect such signals and be configured to measuresignal metrics such as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol,power spectral density, and other signal metrics. The wireless device1102 may also include a digital signal processor (DSP) 1120 for use inprocessing signals. The DSP 1120 may be configured to generate a packetfor transmission. In some aspects, the packet may comprise a physicallayer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

The wireless device 1102 may further comprise a user interface 1122 insome examples. The user interface 1122 may comprise a keypad, amicrophone, a speaker, and/or a display. The user interface 1122 mayinclude any element or component configured to convey information to auser of the wireless device 1102 and/or configured to receive input fromthe user. The wireless device 1102 may also include an MCS component1128. In some examples, the MCS component 1128 may be a component of theprocessor 1104. The MCS component 1128 may be configured to perform anyprocessing (e.g., functions, steps, or the like) described herein withrespect to transmit power related information.

For example, the MCS component 1128 may be configured to receive (e.g.,from the receiver 1112) transmit power related information correspondingto a second apparatus (e.g., any device described herein, such as a STAor AP). The MCS component 1128 may be configured to determine, based onthe a power backoff corresponding to a first modulation and codingscheme, a first SINR for the first modulation and coding scheme of asecond plurality of power backoffs. The MCS component 1128 may beconfigured to select, based on the first SINR, the first modulation andcoding scheme for scheduling an uplink transmission with the secondapparatus in accordance with the first modulation and coding scheme. TheMCS component 1128 may be configured to generate scheduling informationincluding the selected MCS. The MCS component 1128 may be configured tosend the scheduling information to the transmitter 1110. The transmitter1110 may be configured to transmit the scheduling information.

As another example, the MCS component 1528 may be configured to receive(e.g., from the receiver 1112) a data frame including a Medium AccessControl (MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header. The MAC header orthe PHY header of the data frame may include transmit power relatedinformation corresponding to a second apparatus (e.g., any devicedescribed herein, such as a STA or AP). The MCS component 1128 may beconfigured to select, based on the transmit power related information, afirst modulation and coding scheme for scheduling an uplink transmissionwith the second apparatus in accordance with the first modulation andcoding scheme. The MCS component 1128 may be configured to generatescheduling information including the selected MCS. The MCS component1128 may be configured to send the scheduling information to thetransmitter 1110. The transmitter 1110 may be configured to transmit thescheduling information.

The various components of the wireless device 1102 may be coupledtogether by a bus system 1126. The bus system 1126 may include a databus, for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and astatus signal bus in addition to the data bus. Components of thewireless device 1102 may be coupled together or accept or provideinformation to each other using some other mechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated in FIG. 11, oneor more of the components may be combined or commonly implemented. Forexample, the processor 1104 may be used to implement not only thefunctionality described above with respect to the processor 1104, butalso to implement the functionality described above with respect to thesignal detector 1118, the DSP 1120, the user interface 1122, and/or theMCS component 1128. Further, each of the components illustrated in FIG.11 may be implemented using a plurality of separate elements.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device 1200 configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein. The wireless device 1200 is an example of a devicethat may be configured to implement various techniques described herein.For example, the wireless device 1200 may be an AP or a STA describedherein. The wireless communication device 1200 may be configured toreceive or send transmit power related information. The wirelesscommunication device 1200 may include a receiver 1205, a processingsystem 1210, and a transmitter 1215. The processing system 1210 mayinclude an MCS component 1228 and/or a memory 1226. The receiver 1205,the processing system 1210, the transmitter 1215, the memory 1226,and/or the MCS component 1228 may be configured to perform one or moretechniques described herein. For example, the receiver 1205, theprocessing system 1210, the transmitter 1215, the memory 1226, and/orthe MCS component 1228 may be configured to perform one or moretechniques described with respect to an AP or STA of FIG. 1, an AP orSTA of FIG. 2, the first device or second device of FIG. 7, the firstapparatus configured to perform the method described with respect toFIG. 8, the first apparatus configured to perform the method describedwith respect to FIG. 9, the first apparatus configured to perform themethod described with respect to FIG. 10, or the wireless device of FIG.11. For example, the receiver 1205 may be configured to perform anyreceiving function. As another example, transmitter 1215 may beconfigured to perform any transmitting function. As another example, theMCS component 1228 may be configured to process transmit power relatedinformation. As another example, the MCS component 1228 may beconfigured to generate scheduling information including a selected MCSbased on the processing of the transmit power related information.

In some examples, the receiver 1205 may correspond to the receiver 1112.The processing system 1210 may correspond to the processor 1104. Thetransmitter 1215 may correspond to the transmitter 1110. The MCScomponent 1228 may correspond to the MCS component 1128.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 1200 may includemeans for performing the functions described herein. For example, meansfor performing the functions described herein may include one or more ofthe receiver 1205, the processing system 1210, the MCS component 1228,the memory 1226, and/or the transmitter 1215.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein. The method 1300 may beperformed using a first apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or devicedescribed herein).

At block 1302, the first apparatus may be configured to generate amessage including transmit power related information corresponding tothe first apparatus. The transmit power related information may includepower backoff per modulation and coding scheme information. The powerbackoff per modulation and coding scheme information may include aplurality of power backoffs including a first power backoffcorresponding to a first modulation and coding scheme and a second powerbackoff corresponding to a second modulation and coding scheme. Eachpower backoff of the plurality of power backoffs may be a function of atleast one of: a respective bandwidth or a respective number of spatialstreams.

At block 1306, the first apparatus may be configured to transmit themessage to a second apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or device describedherein). In some examples, the first apparatus may be an AP and thesecond apparatus may be a STA. In other examples, the first apparatusmay be a STA and the second apparatus may be a AP.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to generate themessage including transmit power related information corresponding tothe first apparatus in response to a trigger event, as depicted by block1304. Blocks 1304-1 through 1304-6 provide various examples of triggerevents that may cause the first apparatus to generate the messageincluding transmit power related information corresponding to the firstapparatus. For example, at block 1304-1, the first apparatus may beconfigured to determine to transmit the transmit power relatedinformation. In this example, the trigger event includes thedetermination to transmit the transmit power related information. Blocks1304-1A and 1304-1B provide two examples of block 1304-1.

For example, at block 1304-1A, the first apparatus may be configured todetermine to transmit the transmit power related information to thesecond apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or device described herein). Inthis example, the trigger event includes the determination to transmitthe transmit power related information to the second apparatus. Asanother example, at block 1304-1B, the first apparatus may be configuredto determine to broadcast the transmit power related information. Inthis example, the trigger event includes the determination to broadcastthe transmit power related information. In some examples, broadcastinginformation, such as transmit power related information, may refer tothe transmission of the information to one or more recipient devices(e.g., any STA, AP, or device described herein).

As another example, at block 1304-2, the first apparatus may beconfigured to initiate an association procedure with the second device.In this example, the trigger event includes the initiation of theassociation procedure with the second device. In some examples, anassociation procedure may refer to a procedure in which two apparatuses(e.g., the first apparatus and the second apparatus) share informationabout themselves for establishing a connection or the like. As anotherexample, at block 1304-3, the first apparatus may be configured tocomplete an association procedure with the second apparatus. In thisexample, the trigger event includes the completion of the associationprocedure with the second apparatus. As another example, at block1304-4, the first apparatus may be configured to receive an associationprocedure request, such as from the second apparatus. In this example,the trigger event includes the reception of the association procedurerequest.

As another example, at block 1304-5, the first apparatus may beconfigured to receive a request for the transmit power relatedinformation, such as from the second apparatus. In this example, thetrigger event includes the reception of the request for the transmitpower related information. As another example, at block 1304-6, thefirst apparatus may be configured to capability information indicativethat the second apparatus is capable of processing transmit powerrelated information. In this example, the trigger event includes thereception of the capability information.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to receive thepower backoff per modulation and coding scheme information in a highefficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) of a frame. Theframe may be a data frame or an HE control frame. The first apparatusmay be configured to receive the power backoff per modulation and codingscheme information in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physicallayer (PHY) header of a data frame. In some examples, a message may be aframe or a data frame. Similarly, a frame or a data frame may be amessage, provided that the message includes data if the message is adata frame.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an example method of wireless communication inaccordance with the techniques described herein. The method 1400 may beperformed using a first apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or devicedescribed herein).

At block 1402, the first apparatus may be configured to generate a dataframe including a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physical layer(PHY) header. The MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame mayinclude transmit power related information corresponding to a firstapparatus. In some examples, a message may be a frame or a data frame.Similarly, a frame or a data frame may be a message, provided that themessage includes data if the message is a data frame. The transmit powerrelated information may include at least one of: a maximum transmitpower, power backoff per modulation and coding scheme information, or anactual transmit power.

In some examples, the maximum transmit power may correspond to a maximumoutput power at an antenna port of a transmitter of the first apparatus.The MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame may include a highefficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) that includes thetransmit power related information. The MAC header or the PHY header ofthe data frame may include a high efficiency (HE) control field thatincludes the transmit power related information. The MAC header or thePHY header of the data frame may include a high efficiency-signal-A(HE-SIG-A) field that includes the transmit power related information.

At block 1406, the first apparatus may be configured to transmit thedata frame to a second apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or device describedherein). In some examples, the first apparatus may be an AP and thesecond apparatus may be a STA. In other examples, the first apparatusmay be a STA and the second apparatus may be a AP.

In some examples, the first apparatus may be configured to generate thedata frame in response to a trigger event, as depicted by block 1404.Blocks 1404-1 through 1404-6 provide various examples of trigger eventsthat may cause the first apparatus to generate the data frame includingtransmit power related information corresponding to the first apparatus.For example, at block 1404-1, the first apparatus may be configured todetermine to transmit the transmit power related information. In thisexample, the trigger event includes the determination to transmit thetransmit power related information. Blocks 1404-1A and 1404-1B providetwo examples of block 1404-1.

For example, at block 1404-1A, the first apparatus may be configured todetermine to transmit the transmit power related information to thesecond apparatus (e.g., any STA, AP, or device described herein). Inthis example, the trigger event includes the determination to transmitthe transmit power related information to the second apparatus. Asanother example, at block 1404-1B, the first apparatus may be configuredto determine to broadcast the transmit power related information. Inthis example, the trigger event includes the determination to broadcastthe transmit power related information. In some examples, broadcastinginformation, such as transmit power related information, may refer tothe transmission of the information to one or more recipient devices(e.g., any STA, AP, or device described herein).

As another example, at block 1404-2, the first apparatus may beconfigured to initiate an association procedure with the second device.In this example, the trigger event includes the initiation of theassociation procedure with the second device. In some examples, anassociation procedure may refer to a procedure in which two apparatuses(e.g., the first apparatus and the second apparatus) share informationabout themselves for establishing a connection or the like. As anotherexample, at block 1404-3, the first apparatus may be configured tocomplete an association procedure with the second apparatus. In thisexample, the trigger event includes the completion of the associationprocedure with the second apparatus. As another example, at block1404-4, the first apparatus may be configured to receive an associationprocedure request, such as from the second apparatus. In this example,the trigger event includes the reception of the association procedurerequest.

As another example, at block 1404-5, the first apparatus may beconfigured to receive a request for the transmit power relatedinformation, such as from the second apparatus. In this example, thetrigger event includes the reception of the request for the transmitpower related information. As another example, at block 1404-6, thefirst apparatus may be configured to capability information indicativethat the second apparatus is capable of processing transmit powerrelated information. In this example, the trigger event includes thereception of the capability information.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device 1502 configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein. The wireless device 1502 is an example of a devicethat may be configured to implement various techniques described herein.For example, the wireless device 1502 may be an AP or a STA describedherein.

The wireless device 1502 may include a processor 1504 configured tocontrol the operation of the wireless device 1502. The processor 1504may, in some examples, be referred to as a central processing unit(CPU). Memory 1506 may include both read-only memory (ROM) and randomaccess memory (RAM). The processor 1504 may be configured to receiveinstructions and data from the memory 1506. A portion of the memory 1506may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). Theprocessor 1504 may be configured to perform logical and arithmeticoperations based on program instructions stored in the memory 1506. Theinstructions in the memory 1506 may be executable (by the processor1504, for example) to implement the techniques described herein.

The processor 1504 may comprise or be a component of a processing systemimplemented with one or more processors. The one or more processors maybe implemented with any combination of general-purpose microprocessors,microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmablegate array (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), controllers,state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware components, dedicatedhardware finite state machines, or any other suitable entities that canperform calculations or other manipulations of information.

The processing system may also include machine-readable media forstoring software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any typeof instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions mayinclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Theinstructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause theprocessing system to perform the various functions described herein.

The wireless device 1502 may also include a housing 1508, and thewireless device 1502 may include a transmitter 1510 and/or a receiver1512 to allow transmission and/or reception of information between thewireless device 1502 and a another device. The transmitter 1510 and thereceiver 1512 may be combined into a transceiver 1514. An antenna 1516may be attached to the housing 1508 and electrically coupled to thetransceiver 1514. The wireless device 1502 may also include multipletransmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers, and/or multipleantennas.

The wireless device 1502 may also include a signal detector 1518 thatmay be configured to detect and quantify the level of signals receivedby the transceiver 1514 or the receiver 1512. The signal detector 1518may be configured to detect such signals and be configured to measuresignal metrics such as total energy, energy per subcarrier per symbol,power spectral density, and other signal metrics. The wireless device1502 may also include a digital signal processor (DSP) 1520 for use inprocessing signals. The DSP 1520 may be configured to generate a packetfor transmission. In some aspects, the packet may comprise a physicallayer convergence procedure (PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU).

The wireless device 1502 may further comprise a user interface 1522 insome examples. The user interface 1522 may comprise a keypad, amicrophone, a speaker, and/or a display. The user interface 1522 mayinclude any element or component configured to convey information to auser of the wireless device 1502 and/or configured to receive input fromthe user. The wireless device 1502 may also include an MCS component1528. In some examples, the MCS component 1528 may be a component of theprocessor 1504. The MCS component 1528 may be configured to perform anyprocessing (e.g., functions, steps, or the like) described herein withrespect to transmit power related information.

For example, the MCS component 1528 may be configured to generate amessage including transmit power related information corresponding tothe wireless device 1502. The MCS component 1528 may be configured tosend the message to the transmitter 1510. The transmitter 1510 may beconfigured to transmit the message. In some examples, the MCS component1528 may be configured to receive (e.g., from the receiver 1512)scheduling information including a selected MCS. The receiver 1512 maybe configured to receive scheduling information including the selectedMCS from a second apparatus (e.g., any device described herein, such asa STA or AP). The MCS component 1528 may be configured to schedule anuplink transmission with the second apparatus in accordance with theselected MCS.

As another example, the MCS component 1528 may be configured to generatea data frame including a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or aphysical layer (PHY) header. The MAC header or the PHY header of thedata frame may include transmit power related information correspondingto the wireless device 1502. The MCS component 1528 may be configured tosend the data frame to the transmitter 1510. The transmitter 1510 may beconfigured to transmit the data frame. In some examples, the MCScomponent 1528 may be configured to receive (e.g., from the receiver1512) scheduling information including a selected MCS. The receiver 1512may be configured to receive scheduling information including theselected MCS from a second apparatus (e.g., any device described herein,such as a STA or AP). The MCS component 1528 may be configured toschedule an uplink transmission with the second apparatus in accordancewith the selected MCS.

The various components of the wireless device 1502 may be coupledtogether by a bus system 1526. The bus system 1526 may include a databus, for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, and astatus signal bus in addition to the data bus. Components of thewireless device 1502 may be coupled together or accept or provideinformation to each other using some other mechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated in FIG. 15, oneor more of the components may be combined or commonly implemented. Forexample, the processor 1504 may be used to implement not only thefunctionality described above with respect to the processor 1504, butalso to implement the functionality described above with respect to thesignal detector 1518, the DSP 1520, the user interface 1522, and/or theMCS component 1528. Further, each of the components illustrated in FIG.15 may be implemented using a plurality of separate elements.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of an example wirelesscommunication device 1600 configured in accordance with the techniquesdescribed herein. The wireless device 1600 is an example of a devicethat may be configured to implement various techniques described herein.For example, the wireless device 1600 may be an AP or a STA describedherein. The wireless communication device 1600 may be configured toreceive or send transmit power related information. The wirelesscommunication device 1600 may include a receiver 1605, a processingsystem 1610, and a transmitter 1615. The processing system 1610 mayinclude an MCS component 1628 and/or a memory 1626. The receiver 1605,the processing system 1610, the transmitter 1615, the memory 1626,and/or the MCS component 1628 may be configured to perform one or moretechniques described herein. For example, the receiver 1605, theprocessing system 1610, the transmitter 1615, the memory 1626, and/orthe MCS component 1628 may be configured to perform one or moretechniques described with respect to an AP or STA of FIG. 1, an AP orSTA of FIG. 2, the first device or second device of FIG. 7, the firstapparatus configured to perform the method described with respect toFIG. 13, or the first apparatus configured to perform the methoddescribed with respect to FIG. 14, or the wireless device of FIG. 15.For example, the receiver 1605 may be configured to perform anyreceiving function. As another example, transmitter 1615 may beconfigured to perform any transmitting function. As another example, theMCS component 1628 may be configured to process scheduling informationincluding a selected MCS. As another example, the MCS component 1628 maybe configured to generate a message, frame, data frame, or the like thatincludes transmit power related information.

In some examples, the receiver 1605 may correspond to the receiver 1512.The processing system 1610 may correspond to the processor 1504. Thetransmitter 1615 may correspond to the transmitter 1510. The MCScomponent 1628 may correspond to the MCS component 1528.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 1600 may includemeans for performing the functions described herein. For example, meansfor performing the functions described herein may include one or more ofthe receiver 1605, the processing system 1610, the MCS component 1628,the memory 1626, and/or the transmitter 1615.

The various operations of methods described above may be performed byany suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as varioushardware and/or software component(s), circuits, and/or module(s).Generally, any operations illustrated in the Figures may be performed bycorresponding functional means capable of performing the operations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, components and circuitsdescribed in connection with the present disclosure may be implementedor performed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA or other PLD, discrete gateor transistor logic, discrete hardware components or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A generalpurpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, theprocessor may be any commercially available processor, controller,microcontroller or state machine. A processor may also be implemented asa combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and amicroprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or moremicroprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In one or more aspects, the functions described may be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions orcode on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includesboth computer storage media and communication media including any mediumthat facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place toanother. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessedby a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, suchcomputer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, compact disk(CD)-ROM (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storageor other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be usedto carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions ordata structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc,as used herein, includes CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Thus, computer readable medium comprises a non-transitory computerreadable medium (e.g., tangible media).

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method operations (or blocks) and/oractions may be interchanged with one another without departing from thescope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order ofoperations or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specificoperations and/or actions may be modified without departing from thescope of the claims.

Thus, certain aspects may comprise a computer program product forperforming the operations presented herein. For example, such a computerprogram product may comprise a computer readable medium havinginstructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions beingexecutable by one or more processors to perform the operations describedherein. For certain aspects, the computer program product may includepackaging material.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the preciseconfiguration and components illustrated above. Various modifications,changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the methods and apparatus described above without departingfrom the scope of the claims.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure,other and further aspects of this disclosure may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically statedotherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. All structural andfunctional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects describedthroughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known tothose of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein byreference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover,nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the publicregardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in theclaims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35U.S.C. § 112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using thephrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element isrecited using the phrase “step for.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of wireless communication, comprising:generating, by a first device, a message including transmit powerrelated information corresponding to the first device, wherein thetransmit power related information includes power backoff per modulationand coding scheme information, wherein the power backoff per modulationand coding scheme information includes a plurality of power backoffsincluding a first power backoff corresponding to a first modulation andcoding scheme and a second power backoff corresponding to a secondmodulation and coding scheme, wherein each power backoff of theplurality of power backoffs is a function of at least one of: arespective bandwidth or a respective number of spatial streams; andtransmitting, by the first device, the message to a second device. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein generating the message includesgenerating the message in response to a trigger event.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: determining, by the first device, totransmit the transmit power related information, wherein the triggerevent includes the determination to transmit the transmit power relatedinformation.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining to transmitthe transmit power related information includes: determining, by thefirst device, to transmit the transmit power related information to thesecond device, wherein the trigger event includes the determination totransmit the transmit power related information to the second device; ordetermining, by the first device, to broadcast the transmit powerrelated information, wherein the trigger event includes thedetermination to broadcast the transmit power related information. 5.The method of claim 2, further comprising: initiating, by the firstdevice, an association procedure with the second device, wherein thetrigger event includes the initiation of the association procedure withthe second device.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:completing, by the first device, an association procedure with thesecond device, wherein the trigger event includes the completion of theassociation procedure with the second device.
 7. The method of claim 2,further comprising: receiving, by the first device, an associationprocedure request, wherein the trigger event includes the reception ofthe association procedure request.
 8. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising: receiving, by the first device, a request for the transmitpower related information, wherein the trigger event includes thereception of the request for the transmit power related information. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein receiving the request for the transmitpower related information includes: receiving, by the first device, therequest for the transmit power related information from the seconddevice.
 10. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving, by thefirst device from the second device, capability information indicativethat the second device is capable of processing transmit power relatedinformation, wherein the trigger event includes the reception of thecapability information.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the powerbackoff per modulation and coding scheme information is received in ahigh efficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) of a frame,wherein the message is the frame.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe frame is a data frame or an HE control frame.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation is received in a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or aphysical layer (PHY) header of a data frame.
 14. A first device,comprising: a memory configured to store data; and one or moreprocessors communicatively coupled with the memory, wherein the one ormore processors are configured to: generate a message including transmitpower related information corresponding to the first device, wherein thetransmit power related information includes power backoff per modulationand coding scheme information, wherein the power backoff per modulationand coding scheme information includes a plurality of power backoffsincluding a first power backoff corresponding to a first modulation andcoding scheme and a second power backoff corresponding to a secondmodulation and coding scheme, wherein each power backoff of theplurality of power backoffs corresponds to at least one of: a respectivebandwidth or a respective number of spatial streams; store the messagein the memory; and transmit the message to a second device.
 15. Thefirst device of claim 14, wherein to generate the message, the one ormore processors are configured to generate the message in response to atrigger event.
 16. The first device of claim 15, wherein the one or moreprocessors are configured to: determine to transmit the transmit powerrelated information, wherein the trigger event includes thedetermination to transmit the transmit power related information. 17.The first device of claim 16, wherein to determine to transmit thetransmit power related information, the the one or more processors areconfigured to: determine to transmit the transmit power relatedinformation to the second device, wherein the trigger event includes thedetermination to transmit the transmit power related information to thesecond device; or determine to broadcast the transmit power relatedinformation, wherein the trigger event includes the determination tobroadcast the transmit power related information.
 18. The first deviceof claim 15, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:initiate an association procedure with the second device, wherein thetrigger event includes the initiation of the association procedure withthe second device.
 19. The first device of claim 15, wherein the one ormore processors are configured to: complete an association procedurewith the second device, wherein the trigger event includes thecompletion of the association procedure with the second device.
 20. Thefirst device of claim 15, wherein the one or more processors areconfigured to: receive an association procedure request, wherein thetrigger event includes the reception of the association procedurerequest.
 21. The first device of claim 15, wherein the one or moreprocessors are configured to: receive a request for the transmit powerrelated information, wherein the trigger event includes the reception ofthe request for the transmit power related information.
 22. The firstdevice of claim 21, wherein to receive the request for the transmitpower related information, the one or more processors are configured to:receive the request for the transmit power related information from thesecond device.
 23. The first device of claim 15, wherein the one or moreprocessors are configured to: receive capability information indicativethat the second device is capable of processing transmit power relatedinformation, wherein the trigger event includes the reception of thecapability information.
 24. The first device of claim 14, wherein thepower backoff per modulation and coding scheme information is receivedin a high efficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) of aframe, wherein the message is the frame.
 25. The first device of claim24, wherein the frame is a data frame or an HE control frame.
 26. Thefirst device of claim 14, wherein the power backoff per modulation andcoding scheme information is received in a Medium Access Control (MAC)header or a physical layer (PHY) header of a data frame.
 27. A firstapparatus comprising: means for generating a message including transmitpower related information corresponding to the first apparatus, whereinthe transmit power related information includes power backoff permodulation and coding scheme information, wherein the power backoff permodulation and coding scheme information includes a plurality of powerbackoffs including a first power backoff corresponding to a firstmodulation and coding scheme and a second power backoff corresponding toa second modulation and coding scheme, wherein each power backoff of theplurality of power backoffs corresponds to at least one of: a respectivebandwidth or a respective number of spatial streams; and means fortransmitting the message to a second second apparatus.
 28. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions storedthereon that, when executed, cause one or more processors of a firstdevice to: generate a message including transmit power relatedinformation corresponding to the first device, wherein the transmitpower related information includes power backoff per modulation andcoding scheme information, wherein the power backoff per modulation andcoding scheme information includes a plurality of power backoffsincluding a first power backoff corresponding to a first modulation andcoding scheme and a second power backoff corresponding to a secondmodulation and coding scheme, wherein each power backoff of theplurality of power backoffs corresponds to at least one of: a respectivebandwidth or a respective number of spatial streams; and transmit themessage to a second device.
 29. A method of wireless communication,comprising: generating, by a first device, a data frame including aMedium Access Control (MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header,wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame includestransmit power related information corresponding to the first device,wherein the transmit power related information includes at least one of:a maximum transmit power, power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation, or an actual transmit power; and transmitting, by the firstdevice, the data frame to a second device.
 30. The method of claim 29,wherein generating the data frame includes generating the data frame inresponse to a trigger event.
 31. The method of claim 30, furthercomprising: determining, by the first device, to transmit the transmitpower related information, wherein the trigger event includes thedetermination to transmit the transmit power related information. 32.The method of claim 31, wherein determining to transmit the transmitpower related information includes: determining, by the first device, totransmit the transmit power related information to the second device,wherein the trigger event includes the determination to transmit thetransmit power related information to the second device; or determining,by the first device, to broadcast the transmit power relatedinformation, wherein the trigger event includes the determination tobroadcast the transmit power related information.
 33. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising: initiating, by the first device, anassociation procedure with the second device, wherein the trigger eventincludes the initiation of the association procedure with the seconddevice.
 34. The method of claim 30, further comprising: completing, bythe first device, an association procedure with the second device,wherein the trigger event includes the completion of the associationprocedure with the second device.
 35. The method of claim 30, furthercomprising: receiving, by the first device, an association procedurerequest, wherein the trigger event includes the reception of theassociation procedure request.
 36. The method of claim 30, furthercomprising: receiving, by the first device, a request for the transmitpower related information, wherein the trigger event includes thereception of the request for the transmit power related information. 37.The method of claim 36, wherein receiving the request for the transmitpower related information includes: receiving, by the first device, therequest for the transmit power related information from the seconddevice.
 38. The method of claim 30, further comprising: receiving, bythe first device from the second device, capability informationindicative that the second device is capable of processing transmitpower related information, wherein the trigger event includes thereception of the capability information.
 39. The method of claim 29,wherein the maximum transmit power corresponds to a maximum output powerat an antenna port of a transmitter of the first device.
 40. The methodof claim 29, wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frameincludes a high efficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) thatincludes the transmit power related information.
 41. The method of claim29, wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame includesa high efficiency (HE) control field that includes the transmit powerrelated information.
 42. The method of claim 29, wherein the MAC headeror the PHY header of the data frame includes a high efficiency-signal-A(HE-SIG-A) field that includes the transmit power related information.43. A first device, comprising: a memory configured to store data; andone or more processors communicatively coupled with the memory, whereinthe one or more processors are configured to: generate a data frameincluding a Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY)header, wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frameincludes transmit power related information corresponding to the firstdevice, wherein the transmit power related information includes at leastone of: a maximum transmit power, power backoff per modulation andcoding scheme information, or an actual transmit power; store the dataframe in the memory; and transmit the data frame to a second device. 44.The first device of claim 43, wherein to generate the data frame, theone or more processors are configured to generate the data frame inresponse to a trigger event.
 45. The first device of claim 44, whereinthe one or more processors are configured to: determine to transmit thetransmit power related information, wherein the trigger event includesthe determination to transmit the transmit power related information.46. The first device of claim 45, wherein to determine to transmit thetransmit power related information, the the one or more processors areconfigured to: determine to transmit the transmit power relatedinformation to the second device, wherein the trigger event includes thedetermination to transmit the transmit power related information to thesecond device; or determine to broadcast the transmit power relatedinformation, wherein the trigger event includes the determination tobroadcast the transmit power related information.
 47. The first deviceof claim 44, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:initiate an association procedure with the second device, wherein thetrigger event includes the initiation of the association procedure withthe second device.
 48. The first device of claim 44, wherein the one ormore processors are configured to: complete an association procedurewith the second device, wherein the trigger event includes thecompletion of the association procedure with the second device.
 49. Thefirst device of claim 44, wherein the one or more processors areconfigured to: receive an association procedure request, wherein thetrigger event includes the reception of the association procedurerequest.
 50. The first device of claim 44, wherein the one or moreprocessors are configured to: receive a request for the transmit powerrelated information, wherein the trigger event includes the reception ofthe request for the transmit power related information.
 51. The firstdevice of claim 50, wherein to receive the request for the transmitpower related information, the one or more processors are configured to:receive the request for the transmit power related information from thesecond device.
 52. The first device of claim 44, wherein the one or moreprocessors are configured to: receive capability information indicativethat the second device is capable of processing transmit power relatedinformation, wherein the trigger event includes the reception of thecapability information.
 53. The first device of claim 43, wherein themaximum transmit power corresponds to a maximum output power at anantenna port of a transmitter of the first device.
 54. The first deviceof claim 43, wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frameincludes a high efficiency (HE) capability information element (IE) thatincludes the transmit power related information.
 55. The first device ofclaim 43, wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frameincludes a high efficiency (HE) control field that includes the transmitpower related information.
 56. The first device of claim 43, wherein theMAC header or the PHY header of the data frame includes a highefficiency-signal-A (HE-SIG-A) field that includes the transmit powerrelated information.
 57. A first apparatus for wireless communications,comprising: means for generating a data frame including a Medium AccessControl (MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header, wherein the MACheader or the PHY header of the data frame includes transmit powerrelated information corresponding to a second device, wherein thetransmit power related information includes at least one of: a maximumtransmit power, power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation, or an actual transmit power; and means for transmitting thedata frame to a second apparatus.
 58. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause oneor more processors of a first device to: generate a data frame includinga Medium Access Control (MAC) header or a physical layer (PHY) header,wherein the MAC header or the PHY header of the data frame includestransmit power related information corresponding to the first device,wherein the transmit power related information includes at least one of:a maximum transmit power, power backoff per modulation and coding schemeinformation, or an actual transmit power; and transmit the data frame toa second device.